Discover how to attract deer to your property with food plots.

If you want to attract deer to your property, planting a food plot is one of the best steps you can take. Whether you’re looking to attract deer for hunting or wildlife observation, a well-planned food plot will provide deer with essential nutrients while drawing them to specific areas on your property. Follow this guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet to select and plant a food plot that will keep deer coming back.

Note: Feeding and baiting deer is prohibited in some areas. Follow your local laws regarding the use of attractants.

Deer Nutrition and Feeding Habits

Before you choose your seeds, it’s important to know what deer actually need from their food sources throughout the year. Deer are browsers and grazers, which means they eat a variety of plants depending on what’s available and what their bodies need at different times.

During spring and summer, deer need foods rich in protein and minerals to support antler growth and prepare for breeding season. As fall approaches, their dietary needs shift to high-carbohydrate foods that will help them build fat reserves for winter survival. Because of this seasonal shift, you’ll want to choose a mix of seeds that will provide year-round nutrition for deer.

Types of Food Plot Seeds

Your seed selection can make or break your food plot. Here are the main types to choose from:

Warm-Season Crops

Warm-season seeds thrive in summer heat and provide excellent nutrition during the growing months.

• Soybeans: These are one of the most popular choices. They’re packed with the protein deer need for antler development and lactating does.
• Cowpeas: These offer similar protein benefits and are more drought-tolerant than soybeans.
• Corn: This provides the carbohydrates deer need for fat storage before winter.

Cool-Season Crops

Cool-season seeds handle frost well and provide nutrition when other food sources become scarce.

• Brassicas: Plants like turnips, radishes, and rapeseed provide both leafy greens and roots the deer love. The leafy tops offer nutrition in the fall, while the roots make a great food source after frost.
• Winter Wheat and Oats: These grow quickly and provide deer nutrition when other food sources are dormant.
• Clover Varieties: Red clover, white clover, and crimson clover all offer excellent protein content and stay green longer than many other options.

Perennial Crops

Annual seeds require replanting each year but often provide immediate results and high attraction rates. Perennial seeds, on the other hand, offer long-term value because they return year after year without replanting. They will provide consistent deer attraction and reduce long-term maintenance.

• Alfalfa: This has exceptional protein content. Once established, it can produce for many years with the right fertilization and management.
• Chicory: This grows well in poor soil conditions and provides consistent deer attraction throughout the growing season. It has deep taproots, which help it survive drought conditions.

We recommend mixing a few of these crops to ensure your plot draws deer year-round. Pick two to three varieties that match your soil and the weather conditions in your area. To make things easier, there are also plenty of food plot mixes available.

Soil Preparation

To have success with deer food plots, it’s important to properly prepare the soil. Follow these steps:

• Test the Soil: Start by testing your soil pH and nutrient levels with a soil test kit.
• Adjust the pH: Most food plot crops prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). If your soil is too acidic, you’ll need to add lime several months before planting time. If it’s too alkaline, add sulfur to help lower the pH.
• Apply Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer based on your soil test results. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth, and phosphorus and potassium support root development and overall plant health.
• Clear the Area: Clear your plot area of weeds, brush, and other vegetation. You can do this through herbicide application, mowing, or disking.
• Till the Area: Till the area to create a firm, level seedbed that allows good seed-to-soil contact.

Planting Tips

Timing your plantings correctly is extremely important to your food plot’s success. Each type of seed has specific temperature and moisture requirements that you need to meet for successful germination.

Plant warm-season seeds after the last frost date in your area, when soil temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. If you plant them too early, the cold soil could prevent germination or kill growing seedlings. Plant cool-season seeds 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost. This allows the crops to establish before cold weather while still ensuring they’ll be at their peak during hunting season.

You should also follow the seeding rate recommendations on the seed packaging. Over-seeding can create competition among other plants, while under-seeding leaves the potential for weeds to take over. Additionally, make sure you plant them at the recommended depth. Most food plot seeds benefit from shallow planting depths (1/4 to 1/2 inch), while bigger ones like corn can go about 1 inch deep.

After planting, lightly rake or drag the area to cover seeds with soil. Then, water the seeds. This is especially important if you’re not getting much rainfall in your area.

Plot Maintenance

Your job doesn’t end after planting. Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your food plot productive throughout the growing season.

• Weed Control: Watch your plot regularly for weeds. Address any issues early with cultivation, mowing, or herbicides. Weeds will compete with your food plot plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight, making it less attractive to deer.
• Fertilize as Needed: Monitor plant health, and supplement as needed or based on soil test recommendations.
• Moisture Control: Check the moisture levels often, especially right after planting and during dry spells. Water the plants if necessary.
• Rotation Schedule: For best results, we recommend following a rotation schedule for annual plots to maintain soil health and prevent pests and disease. Rotating between legumes and grasses or brassicas, for example, can help maintain soil fertility naturally.

Tips for Success

To get the most out of your plots, follow these tips:

• Plot Placement: Position food plots near deer bedding areas, natural trails, and cover areas where deer feel secure, such as woodland edges or thick brush. If there isn’t much natural cover, we recommend edging plots with native grasses or shrubs to increase security, which will encourage more deer to come.
• Size: It’s better to create multiple smaller plots rather than one large one to distribute deer pressure and reduce over-browsing. Smaller plots are also less intimidating and ideal for hunting.
• Variety: Ideally, you’ll want to provide year-round nutrition for deer. This means you should aim to plant a variety of food plot seeds for deer. Combine warm- and cool-weather varieties to provide a food source from spring through winter.
• Hunting Strategy: Think about your hunting area and strategy when planting plot locations. Place plots within comfortable shooting range of your stand or blinds. But avoid over-hunting specific areas, as this could scare deer away from your plots.

Don’t forget to check your local ordinances regarding to use of attractants before beginning.

Creating a successful deer food plot all comes down to preparation, selecting the right seeds, and maintenance. If you follow these steps, you’ll create food plots that help support healthy deer populations and enhance your outdoor experiences.

For more guides like this one, check out our other Hunting articles.