All things food plots - spring and fall

MSU Deer Lab will help you for free

How many acres are you going to plant? Soybeans will get hammered unless you can plant large acreage such 5-10ac fields.
A simple but effective strategy would be to plan clover seeds in the next month or so, they can be just spread out before a rain on bushhogged fields. Look up frost seeding.
Then come back over those areas and plant a mixture of oats elbon rye and wheat and clover in tbe fall sometime around mid October.
You can then add more clover in tbe spring next year rinse and repeat.

Hinge cutting did more for my property than anything else. It takes some planning and some commitment, but it keeps more bucks on my property than before. I focused on areas on ridges that would give them plenty of protection and areas where they would be protected from bad weather.

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spring plots

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Say "Summer Plots" lol


The first thing you should do is take soil samples to your nearest MSU Extension office. Be sure to request an analysis of organic matter as well.

To answer your questions in order:

1. **Should I use the same plots?**
Yes, stick with the same plots.

2. **What should I plant?**
- Plant **American Joint Vetch** (not just any deer vetch) in 2/3 of your plots.
- In the remaining 1/3, plant a **clover blend**.
- Avoid soybeans unless you either use an electric fence or have over 10 acres per plot. Otherwise, deer will overbrowse them before they can establish.

3. **When should I plant?**
- Timing depends on **soil temperature and moisture**. Always plant as close to a rain as possible. Personally, I like to plant right as the rain starts!
- For **summer plots**, aim for May. For **fall plots**, November works best. (I’m in southwest Mississippi for reference.)

4. **Annual vs. Perennial Crops:**
- Keep 2/3 of your plots as **annuals** and 1/3 as **perennials** (e.g., clover). Perennials regrow yearly, saving you time and money while feeding deer year-round. Exclusively planting annuals creates gaps in food availability, especially during critical times for deer.

### Soil Preparation
Chances are, your soil will need lime. After your soil test, apply the prescribed amount (a co-op truck can help) and disc the plots thoroughly. Then, do a complete burndown using a herbicide like Roundup.

If possible, consider **burning the plots** to control weeds effectively. Starting with a weed-free plot will save you a lot of trouble later.

For planting, you can use a **no-till drill** or the **broadcast method**, depending on your preference. Here's the trade-off:
- **Disc planting** creates attractive plots but requires more fertilizer.
- **No-till methods** build healthier soil over time, reducing the need for fertilizer.

### Money-Saving Tips
1. Get a **soil sample** and work with your local co-op to understand what grows best in your area.
2. Use the prescribed fertilizer, at least for the first few years.
3. Create a solid seedbed by discing thoroughly in the first years.
4. If going no-till, read *Dirt to Soil* by Gabe Brown for guidance.
5. Talk to your **neighbors** about their planting schedules, but only take advice from those with successful plots.
6. **Don’t plant too early!** Planting before consistent rain leads to wasted time, effort, and money. Keep in mind that October is typically very dry in Mississippi.
7. Enlarge your plots to **at least 2 acres** if possible to reduce browsing pressure.
8. Use **excluder cages** (3x3 feet) to monitor deer pressure. If plots fail, you’ll know whether the cause is poor planting or overbrowsing.
9. If deer density is too high, harvest at least **one doe per 50 acres** (or more if needed).

### General Advice
- **Clover is your best friend.** It may not seem exciting, but with proper mowing, it can last up to five years and sustain your deer population. Some experienced hunters rely solely on clover.
- **Focus on habitat first.** The best food plots in the world won’t help if deer lack adequate bedding and browse. Use prescribed burns in your woods to enhance natural food sources. Contact the NRCS for professional guidance.

For more in-depth information, check out the *Land and Legacy* podcast. Food plots should always come second to quality habitat management!

Plant clover next month.

How many acres do yall have.

You want 2-5% of your acreage to be food plots.

So on the high end of 5% that would be 7.5 acres of food plots total.

I’d rather have 2 3 acre plots than 6 1 acre plots.

Then you can withstand browsing pressure, have better plots, reduce time on the tractor, and really set up nice plots.

I’d like to see a map and I’m sure I could help.

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I’d rather have 2 3 acre plots than 6 1 acre plots.

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I agree . That’s how we have it setup at home and seems to work well . The deer keep the plots eaten down.

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Food plots should always come second to quality habitat management!

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Great post, summed up perfectly with that statement.