What should I plant in your deer food plot?  This is a question that I am asked over and over again. I am not an expert and cannot tell you what to plant in your area. There are so many factors to be considered, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures, micro climate, etc. Although I hope the following information is of some help.

It can be very hard to figure exactly what to plant, considering the microclimates that can exist from one field to the next. I have planted many things that thrive in one area but are struggling only a short distance away. Of course, proper planting effort, favorable soil, weather conditions and good timing can contribute to the success of your planting.

To pick a food plot location, many of us are 'stuck' with a certain area and have to plant in that spot. For those who have more land to work with, and can choose a location; ideally, the location should be hidden from the view of any road.  Find a place where you can effectively hunt the plot, and keep in mind your path to and from your tree stand. If you want to provide a late season food source, then place the plot close to deer wintering and bedding areas, if you want to hunt directly over a plot, plant it where you will not disturb it going to and from your stand. Wind is another consideration, dips, hollows, and hillsides often have changing wind currents that make it easier for the deer to pick up your scent.

Another consideration, if you live in a farming area, is the crops planted close by. You may think it is good to plant what is in the farmer's field, since the deer are grazing in that large field, although that may be the worse seed to plant. Why would the deer prefer your plot? You may be better off giving the wildlife the choice of a different variety. 

To get ready to plant, the perfect situation is to be able to plow and disc the soil. If that is not possible, a good spray of Round-Up or a similar product will kill any standing weeds in a week or so, then you can easily work the soil. Any seed will grow better in a well prepared seed bed.  If preparing the seed bed is not possible, good soil contact is all many seeds need. Try simply dropping the seeds and walking over them, or broadcasting during a good rainfall, the rain will plant the seeds for you. This works especially well with tiny Ladino Clover seeds.

For seed selection, it is usually better to plant a few types, and mix perennial like clovers, alfalfa and chicory with the annual brassicas such as rape, turnip, or soybean. Below is a little of what the experts at the Whitetail Institute recommend planting, and based on the experts recommendations, a list other bulk seeds that may grow well.

I am not suggesting that these are the only seeds that will grow in a certain area.

Dry Areas; According to the Whitetail Institute; "For drier or well-drained soils (sandy soils, hill tops and slopes, arid soils, etc.) The Institute offers several excellent products. Alfa-Rack, a clover/alfalfa blend, is an excellent choice. The deep-rooted perennial alfalfa thrives in well-drained and dry soils. For best results, over 30 inches of rain is needed. Another great option is Extreme (under 30 inches of rain). With the toughest planting conditions in mind, the Whitetail Institute set out to develop a perennial crop that would not just survive, but thrive, in poor soils and under extremely dry conditions and they succeeded with Imperial Whitetail Extreme."

~~*Other bulk seeds that may work in this type of dry area are Imperial Chicory Plus, Alfalfa, Rye, Buck Forage Oats, and Chicory.


Moist Areas; For a nice area with sun and a good amount of rainfall, personally, I think almost anything will grow. The experts say:
"Imperial Whitetail Clover, is one of the most nutritious and attractive forages concerning whitetails. The perennial clover (lasts three to five years without replanting) grows extremely well in heavy soils that hold moisture well or typically any area that stays moist. Bottomlands, creek bottoms, and if the area receives over 30 inches of rain per year, most flat grazing and farmland usually works well. The Institute's two annuals, Power Plant and No-Plow, grow well in a variety of soils and moisture levels."

 ~~*Others that may work in a sunny-moist area are Ladino or Red Clovers, Rape, Bulls-Eye Brassica, Rye, Turnips, Alfalfa, Chicory, Soybeans, Sorghum (Milo), Reed Canary Grass, Buckwheat, and Oats.


Shade; If you have an area that does not have a lot of sunlight and about normal rainfall, I think Imperial No Plow or Imperial Secret Spot is probably the best seeds.
The Institute experts suggest;
"No-Plow is the Institute's most productive product in low-light areas. No-Plow will thrive with only three hours of sunlight per day, direct or filtered. Many customers have produced excellent No-Plow plots with only two hours of sunlight per day (logging roads, small woodland food plots, etc.). NO-PLOW is also excellent in drier climates where summer rainfall cannot be counted on. Imperial Whitetail Clover, Alfa-Rack and Power Plant are all productive in as little as three to four hours of sunlight, direct or filtered, per day. Of course, all Whitetail Institute products usually grow better with longer periods of direct sunlight."

 ~~*Other bulk seeds that may grow in this area are Clovers, Rapes, Turnips, and Rye.

Whether you buy Whitetail Institute Blends, other brand mixes, or a few pounds of bulk seeds, first time planters may want to try a few different types of seed and see what does best in your area. After planting, place a small wire basket over a portion of your plants so wildlife can't graze that area. Watch the difference inside and outside the basket. Once you see what grows well, you can plan next years plot. Many seeds such as clovers, alfalfa, and chicory are perennial and if they become established, they will come back for years without re-planting. Brassicas such as Shot Plot, Turnips, Rape, Sorghum, Soybean, and Buckwheat, need re-planting each year, but add an extra succulent attractant to the plot. A mix like Pro Graze includes brassicas and perennial clovers and chicory, the fast growing brassicas feed the wildlife while the slower growing perennials take hold.

It is highly recommended to do a soil test before planting, legumes, such as clover, like a more neutral soil. If a soil test is not available, lime should be added. A heavy application of lime will maintain a neutral soil (7.0 Ph) for several years. Provide your seeds with the best soil preparation you have available.

For Imperial Clover and other clovers, after broadcasting seed, use a cultipacker or some type of heavy roller to roll over field. This presses seed into ground and helps insure better seed to soil contact and good germination. If no cultipacker or roller is available, pull fence-type drag over seed. A piece of chain link fence or similar type fence drag will work. Smaller areas can be lightly gone over with an old broom or leaf rake, or simply walked over. Do not cover clovers and alfalfa seed more than 1/4 inch, do not disc the seed into the ground. I have planted small seeds by simply broadcasting over my seedbed during a rainfall, the rain insured good soil contact without covering too deeply. This works well for alfalfa, chicory, rape, rye and turnips. Clovers especially will not germinate if planted too deeply. Soybeans and Oats need to be planted at an inch or slightly deeper.

For weed competition in clovers and alfalfa I recommend the Arrest or Slay herbicides, or similar products.

 If you are watching or hunting deer, a food plot will help provide better nutrition for a healthier herd with more beautiful racks. The plants, flowers and seeds may also attract turkey, rabbits, grouse and other wildlife. Be patient, it may take a couple years of planting to get the result you are looking for. The first year or two may have a lot of trial and error, before you figure out exactly what grows in your plot, what care and fertilizer works best,  and what your deer or other wildlife prefer to eat. 

Remember when buying seeds that a couple thousand seeds is usually a tablespoon to two;  if seeds are listed by number of seeds and not by weight, it may help to look at shipping costs, a quarter pound or more of seeds cannot ship for a dollar. Take into account the size of the seeds, for example; a quarter pound of Chicory will have over 100,000 seeds, while a quarter pound of soybeans is less than 700 seeds.

Please visit my ebay store when browsing for wildlife, deer and turkey plot seed.  All orders are shipped fast with no handling fees in the USA.  All orders include a Free Sample, (except on the very rare occasion that I may forget).

If you are looking for a seed or any garden item I do not have listed in my ebay store, please email me, I may have it in stock.

All my seeds are fresh and of the highest quality.