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Food Plots: What you can plant now for a great fall plot!

Food plots are a great way to improve property and to grow and hold more wildlife. By providing precious nutrients, and attracting a wide range of critters, food plots can be enjoyed by hunters and all nature enthusiasts alike!

Often grown to attract, and hold deer, different plots may be utilized by wild turkey, waterfowl, upland birds and other wildlife as well. By growing food plots we can provide animals like deer with the nutrients most beneficial to them specific for any given time of year. In short, this means we can tailor our plots for our herd’s specific needs. We can provide them with valuable protein during the growing stages of spring and summer, vital for body and antler growth as well as lactation and healthy fawn development.

Of course we can also plant things that will provide deer with the much-needed energy, carbohydrates and protein it takes to recover from the rut in the late fall into winter. So whether you’re trying to develop a healthier wildlife population, or create a hunting hot spot (or both), now is the time to plant for a great fall plot!

There are so many choices when it comes to choosing what to grow in your food plots, that if you’re new to the process it can be a bit overwhelming. Food plots really are a labor of love, and if you just take a little time before hand to do some research, you can save yourself a lot of frustration later.

Important Considerations:

• Region and climate
• Soil type – What to plant
• Size
• Goals
• Equipment

Once these considerations are made, the best bet may vary from person-to-person, region-to-region. In my area of Northeastern Minnesota, as well as the upper Midwest the period of time from late August to mid September is the time to plant for fall plots.

Shown Above: (Left to Right) Winter Wheat, Winter Rye and Oats.

Winter Wheat

Winter wheat is a cold-season grain that is ideal for planting in northern climates. This hardy wheat has a higher gluten protein content than other wheat. During its first few months of growth these plants can consist of up to 20% protein. Although most palatable to deer in it’s early stages when most tender, winter wheat really begins to shine mid to late fall. Because winter wheat can withstand freezing temperatures (and in fact requires a period of cooler growing conditions to reproduce) it stays green as other plants and browse begin to brown and die. This makes winter wheat excellent forage throughout the fall and a great choice for harvest plots. Winter wheat also provides a good early spring forage as well, although will become less desirable to deer as spring and other growth progresses. This grain is very tolerant of heavy, wet soil and cold temperatures but isn’t quite as tough as rye. Winter wheat can be successfully planted with minimal tilling, making this a very low maintenance, hardy plot and a great fall choice.

Winter Rye

Winter rye is extremely hardy and very easy to establish. This cold-season forage can consist of up to 16% protein, slightly less than that of winter wheat. Rye may be slightly less desirable to deer than other forages in some cases, but it is still a great way to attract deer (especially in late fall and early winter). Winter rye is among some of the most winter hardy grain available and is very drought tolerant. Rye can grow in just about any soil type with little to no preparation or maintenance. Extremely frost resistant, it can stay green until temps drop to around 10 degrees. This forage can sprout within a matter of days and will draw deer within a matter of weeks. Depending on your area and deer density, you may notice rises and drops in deer utilization of winter rye. This is because deer will hit the winter rye hard early in its growth (while the plant is most tender), and find more palatable forage as rye matures and becomes tougher. However the decrease in frequency is only temporary. As temperatures plummet and other plants become unavailable, deer will come back to the winter rye, and they’ll be back in force! The hardiness and ease of establishment coupled with the great late season attraction make this plot a very popular choice among hunters.

Oats

Oats are a cold-season grain that are highly preferred by deer. Oats are high in protein- around 18% and are easily digested by deer. Oats come in several varieties and it’s important for a fall plot to choose a winter hardy forage. Oats are actually less winter tolerant than winter wheat, rye and other grains but still yield a high value for fall plots. Planting forage oats can be a bit more involved than wheat or rye. Best results will come from tilled soil and 1” to 2” of soil coverage with this cereal grain. The bottom line is that deer love it and it’s an excellent winter stress-period plant. Don’t expect oats to be quite as hardy or last quite long as wheat or rye, but you can definitely expect them to attract and hold deer.

The Seed Scoop

There are a lot of options when it comes to food plots, and it’s up to you to come up with a plot plan that’ll work best for you. Consider your options and do you’re research – if you have any questions, consider consulting your local feed/farm supply store for help or advice. One thing to keep in mind is that by planting too early you run the risk of exposing the plot to disease, and if you plant too late the plot may not reach maturity or even grow. When done properly food plots can be a great way to improve property and wildlife population, and hunting. Get the seeds in the ground now and it won’t take long for you to enjoy it later!