Creating Food Plots, The Big Picture

These days it seems that a lot of hunters are growing food plots or at lease toying with the idea of implementing them into their hunting plan. However most of them don’t understand that it’s not just planting seed in a random location that looks good. Each plot should be thought out and planned for a specific reason to serve its optimal potential. With so many seed blends specific to palatability, germination windows and life cycle it can be overwhelming. With some basic knowledge, creativity, patience, and trial and error you can change the whole structure of your hunting property for the better. Towards the bottom of this page are some food plot "How to" that may help you this upcoming season.

Seed Blends

HOW TO Create Food Plots BIG or small

When recommending food plots for deer we will be focusing on information tailored towards the average hunter who typically hunts on small properties that may have one or more small plots of 1 acre of less. In the industry these plots are referred to as hunt plots in contrast to large destination food plots. It would be extremely difficult to explain every aspect of food plot creation, implementation and maintenance, so we will discuss 6 major food plot plans from POOR to BEST as it relates to equipment availability AND time invested. What food plot vegetation types we recommend such as red clover, chicory, brassica, turnips etc. will be based on those criteria. Actual food plot location and hunting strategy is not discussed in this section, but should always be considered. When and how deer use the food source and how you plan to hunt the location should always be in the forefront of your thinking. (DISCLAIMER: techniques and timelines discussed are relevant to a Midwestern climate with relatively fertile sandy and silty loam soils. There is no substitute for proper soil testing, lime and food plot fertilizer implementation to achieve optimal growth.)

(POOR) Minimal Equipment / Minimal Time

Early spring – clover, chicory broadcasted in open areas and raked in.

Locations such as around a pond or creek bed. Under and around a known apple tree or mast tree. Some place that can establish itself before major green up and continue to grow during the year that will aid to an existing destination area.

Early fall – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted in open areas and raked in.

Locations like the edge of an early cut agricultural field. A fallen or dead tree that has opened up the canopy to sunlight. Any area that is open to the ground and has adequate sunlight do to defoliation or disturbance. At this time of the year you don’t have to worry as much about competing vegetation and quick germinating food plots can be up in a week or two.

(MINIMAL) Minimal Equipment / Moderate Time

Early spring – clover, chicory broadcasted in cleared area and raked in.

Using a mower or preferably a string trimmer clear all vegetation and debris down to dirt in an area that receives sunlight on a normal basis. Competing vegetation can be an issue, so early germination is a key to success.

Early fall – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted in cleared area and raked in.

Using a mower or preferably a string trimmer clear all vegetation and debris down to dirt in an area that receives sunlight on a normal basis. Vegetation competition is not as much of an issue. Refer to seed company germination and time to palatability to coincide with expected hunting trips.

(OK) Minimal Equipment / Adequate Time

Early spring – clover, chicory, alfalfa broadcasted in cleared area and raked in.

Using a mower or preferably a string trimmer clear all vegetation and debris down to dirt in an area that receives sunlight on a normal basis.
Spray area with weed killer. Revisit site 1-2 weeks later and plant seed.
Throughout the growing season revisit site one to two more times and mow as needed at 6” to control weeds and encourage growth.

Early fall – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted in cleared area and raked in.

Using a mower or preferably a string trimmer clear all vegetation and debris down to dirt in an area that receives sunlight on a normal basis.
Spray location with weed killer and come back in a week to broadcast seed and rake in.

(GOOD) Moderate Equipment / Minimal Time

Early - Mid spring – clover, chicory, alfalfa broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and raked in.

Clear an area of large debris.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed.
Plant seed and rake in.
Throughout the growing season revisit site one to two more times and mow as needed at 6” to control weeds and encourage growth.

Early fall / Before season – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and raked in

Clear an area of large debris.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed.
Plant seed and rake in. Weeds are not an issue this time of year so no additional maintenance required.

(BETTER) Moderate Equipment / Moderate Time

Early - Mid spring– clover, chicory, alfalfa, and soybeans broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and cultipack.

Clear an area of large debris.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed.
Plant seed and cultipack seed down, if planting soybeans skim till the seed in with rototiller and then cultipack and disregard next step.
Throughout the growing season revisit site one to two more times and mow as needed at 6” to control weeds and encourage growth.

Early fall / Before season – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and raked in

Clear an area of large debris.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed.
Plant seed and cultipack seed down. Weeds are not an issue this time of year so no additional maintenance required.

(BEST) Adequate Equipment / Adequate Time

Early - Mid spring– clover, chicory, alfalfa, and soybeans broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and cultipack.

Design plot in optimal location, cut trees, create barriers to funnel deer into the plot where you want them, clear an area of large debris.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed. Cultipack seed bed before planting.
Plant seed and cultipack seed down, if planting soybeans skim till the seed in with rototiller and then cultipack and disregard next step.
Throughout the growing season revisit site one to two more times and mow as needed at 6” to control weeds and encourage growth.
Optional: spray plot for weed control using roundup if roundup soybeans are used or a grass specific killer on green plots.

Early fall / Before season – Brassica, clovers, rape, turnips broadcasted on a prepared seedbed and raked in

Design plot in optimal location, cut trees, create barriers to funnel deer into the plot where you want them, clear an area of large debris.
Spray weeds prior to cultivating ground, preferable 1-2 week before.
Using a motorized vehicle, rototill/Disc ground to a uniform seed bed. Cultipack seed bed before planting.
Plant seed and cultipack seed down. Weeds are not an issue this time of year so no additional maintenance required.

​​Creating Food Plots, The Big Picture

HOW TO Create Food Plots BIG or small

Creating Food Plots, The Big Picture