“Throw and grow” seed mixes represent a convenient, no-till approach to establishing deer food plots in locations often inaccessible to heavy machinery. These blends typically contain fast-germinating, small-seeded forage like tetraploid ryegrass, various clovers, and brassicas such as forage rape or radishes. For this method to succeed, the timing and technique must be precisely managed to ensure the tiny seeds germinate and flourish into a productive food plot.
Seasonal Timing for Maximum Growth
The most effective window for planting these forage mixes is late summer to early fall, which allows cool-season crops to establish before the first hard freeze. Brassicas, a common component, perform best in cooler weather and develop optimal sugar content after being exposed to a few frosts. This timing is biologically advantageous because it provides a high-energy food source right as deer enter the pre-rut and winter periods, when their caloric needs are at their peak.
Planting during the late summer also minimizes weed competition, as many warm-season annual weeds are naturally declining. This is when adequate soil moisture is typically increasing due to autumn rains, which is a major factor in the success of any no-till planting. The secondary planting window is early spring, which focuses on establishing perennial clovers and providing high-protein forage for spring antler growth and fawn development. Spring planting must occur early enough to allow for root establishment before the onset of summer heat and drought conditions.
Essential Site Preparation Steps
Although these mixes are marketed as “throw and grow,” successful germination depends heavily on eliminating existing vegetation and ensuring seed-to-soil contact. The most effective preparation involves chemically suppressing all current growth, usually with a broad-spectrum herbicide like glyphosate. This initial step is performed several weeks before planting to allow the existing cover to fully die and create a layer of thatch.
After the vegetation is dead, the area should be mowed low and raked to remove any heavy debris or thick layers of grass that would prevent seed from reaching the soil. Testing the soil’s pH is important, as clover and brassicas thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral range, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. If testing reveals high acidity, a fast-acting form of pelletized lime or a pH-balancing fertilizer should be applied to the site before seeding.
The Planting and Post-Seeding Process
Once the site is prepared, the seed should be broadcast evenly across the plot using a hand-held or walk-behind spreader to ensure consistent coverage. Small-seeded mixes require a shallow planting depth, ideally one-quarter inch or less. Uneven application leads to patchy plots with areas of overcrowding, which stunts plant growth, and other areas that are unproductive.
After spreading, the seed should be pressed firmly into the exposed soil to ensure seed-to-soil contact. This can be accomplished by using a cultipacker, dragging a heavy section of fence or chain harrow, or simply walking over the area. This compaction prevents the tiny seeds from drying out or being washed away during the first rain event. Initial fertilization, such as a balanced blend like 19-19-19 at a rate of 300 to 400 pounds per acre, is often applied at the time of seeding to give the newly germinating plants a nutrient boost.
Adjusting Planting Windows for Local Climate
Successful planting relies less on calendar dates and more on localized climate data, specifically the average first and last frost dates for your region. For fall plots containing cool-season forage, the seed must be planted approximately 45 to 60 days before the average date of the first killing frost. This window provides sufficient time for the brassicas and cereal grains to develop a substantial root system and produce abundant leafy forage.
Regional Fall Timing
In the northern states, this often places the planting window in late July or early August, while in transitional zones, it shifts to mid-August through early September. Southern states, which experience a much later frost, can often plant as late as September or even early October, allowing them to time the plot’s peak attraction perfectly with the hunting season.
Spring Planting
Spring planting for perennial clovers should be timed 30 to 40 days before the average last frost date, ensuring the seeds benefit from melting snow and early spring moisture.