Although we are in the midst of the summer season, it is not too early to focus on fall food plots; in fact, the time could not be better to begin the process. To do it well, there is planning, research, and fieldwork to do, and with the drier weather that we seem to be having, it would be a good idea to get started now.

While the general intent of most food plots is to provide a food source for deer, using the same plot for fall and spring turkeys should be a consideration. It is a generally accepted practice, therefore, to plant clover as a preferred feed for deer, and turkeys will use it as well. Still, it is generally accepted that late winter frost seeding or early spring planting is the time for the greatest success when planting clover or a mix of clover and chickory. So, let’s focus on other plants that will provide more hunting opportunities this coming fall.

First, determine the size and location of the food plot or several food plots, depending on the layout of your property and the terrain you are working with. Usually, it is preferable to have several plots of a smaller size rather than one large one. Deer will tend to work the outside or edges of a plot, and if it is too large, they may never really use much of the center area. With smaller planting areas, the deer will tend to use all of the area, and with several smaller plots, there will be more places to set up blinds or tree stands around the food source, particularly near trails leading into the plot.

Once you locate your proposed plot, the next (and extremely critical) step is to do a soil sample analysis. Check with your county ag agent or the folks where you normally purchase lime, fertilizer, and seed for their guidance in doing this sampling properly. Based on the analysis’s results, it is important to adhere to the recommendations for lime and fertilizer applications for the maximum health and production of the crop or crops you plan to plant.

Offering a diversity of plants across a property is important since the biological needs of a deer dictate a need for a wide variety of foods. The greater the selection you provide, the greater the attractiveness for the deer that will frequent your food plots. With the availability of acorns and beechnuts in the upcoming fall months, your fall food plots must attract and hold deer.

For food plots ranging from 1/2 acre to an acre or larger, consider planting a cereal grain such as cereal rye or winter wheat. Cereal grains should generally be planted in mid to late August, but winter wheat can be planted as late as October or early November. If you want to provide the quickest attraction for late plantings during the middle of hunting season, consider a high rate of cereal rye. Some consider no-till top-sowing of late-planted food plots such as cereal rye since it can be successfully established without tillage by spreading the seed just before rain occurs.

When planning out what to establish in smaller food plots, such as a half-acre or less along a field edge or tucked away in a forested area, a mixture of brassicas, turnips, rape, and beets is a popular choice. Brassicas and other leafy greens should be planted 70 to 80 days prior to the first frost for maximum production, which means late July or early August here in the North. These plants tend to be bitter until the first frost and then become palatable and highly desirable to deer.

Hopefully, you can do your planting just before a rain event. By starting the food plots now, you will have plenty of time to locate just where it will be most advantageous to place your ground blinds or tree stands. By strategically placing trail cameras around the food plot, you can zero in on which trails are being used for entry and exit of the feed sources and note the time of activity as well. You should be able to get the stands in place well before the hunting season begins.

Fall food plots are a great source of high protein and mineral feed for deer that will help them put on needed fat to make it through the coming winter months and will aid in maintaining a healthier herd, from fawns and yearlings to mature does and bucks. The work you do now will pay off in the upcoming archery and rifle seasons and for many months and even years to follow.