Food Plots That Work: What to Plant Right Now Based on Your Acreage
If you’re looking to improve your hunting property and support local wildlife, now is the time to get serious about food plots. Whether you’ve got a few half-acre clearings or access to 20+ acres of prime land, planting the right crops right now can make or break your fall season.
Here’s a breakdown of what to plant based on your acreage, plus the tools and supplies you’ll need to get the job done right.
Small Plots (½ Acre or Less): Go Simple, Go Sweet
For smaller plots, focus on fast-growing, high-attractant crops that are easy to manage.
Best Crops:
- Clover Mixes: Perennial clovers offer long-term benefits and are highly attractive to deer.
- Brassicas (Turnips, Radishes, Rape): Great for cool-season attraction. Deer love the tops and roots alike.
Gear You’ll Need:
- Soil Test Kit – Don’t skip the soil test. This affordable kit helps you dial in your pH and nutrient needs.
- Plot Tiller & Cultivator Combo – Perfect for rough ground and food plot prep.
- Heavy-Duty Broadcast Spreader – Essential for spreading seed or lime evenly across smaller plots.
Medium Plots (1-5 Acres): Mix Crops for Year-Round Draw
With a few acres to work with, you can diversify your food plot strategy. Plant a mix that keeps deer coming from early season through the rut and into late winter.
Best Crops:
- Soybeans: Highly attractive during summer and early season.
- Wheat or Winter Rye: Cold-hardy and perfect for late-season forage.
- Clover-Chicory Blends: Offer great spring/summer nutrition and draw in does.
Recommended Gear:
- Agri-Fab Disc Harrow – Makes soil prep much easier for your ATV or tractor setup.
- ATV Seed Spreader – A must for medium-scale food plots. This one is reliable and fits most standard racks.
- Tow-Behind Cultipacker – Helps firm the seedbed and ensures better seed-to-soil contact.
Large Plots (5+ Acres): Create a Destination Feeding Zone
Big plots can support full-blown agricultural strategies. This is where you turn your property into the local hotspot.
Best Crops:
- Corn: Classic choice for a reason—provides food and cover.
- Alfalfa: Long-term investment for nutrition-rich forage.
- Multi-Zone Blends: Design a “buffet” with edges of clover and inner sections of brassicas or soybeans.
Must-Have Equipment:
- Soil Conditioner – Get your soil in top shape before planting heavy feeders like corn.
- 3-Point Food Plot Seeder – Designed for larger plots and tractors.
-
Broadcast and Spot Sprayer – For weed control and foliar feeding.
Pro Tips for Any Size Plot:
- Do a Soil Test – It’s the single most important step to avoid wasting seed and fertilizer.
- Lime and Fertilize According to Test Results – This step drastically improves your crop’s performance.
- Time Your Planting – Brassicas go in late summer. Clovers and grains have wider planting windows.
- Think Access and Wind – Don’t just plant for the deer—plant so you can hunt it effectively.
Final Thoughts
Food plots aren’t just about growing groceries for game—they’re an investment in your land, your herd health, and your future success in the field. Whether you’re planting a small patch behind the cabin or managing 40 acres, the key is to start now and stay consistent.
Get the gear, test your soil, and plant the right crop for your setup. Your future self (and your freezer) will thank you.
Shop Smart, Hunt Hard:
Check out the links above for some of the best-rated tools and supplies to make your food plot season a success. Every product has been tested by folks who know what it takes to grow strong, healthy plots.
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