Food Plot Calculator

Deer food plot planner

Deer Food Plot Seed Calculator

Enter your plot size and crop to get the exact pounds of seed, number of bags, and lime to add — with seeding rates and planting dates from university extension sources.

28 cropsSeeding · bags · limeExtension-sourced data

Seed needed · Ladino White Clover

5lbs

5 lbs/acre · broadcast · 1 acre

Buy about 1 × 5 lb bag (5 lbs total)

Lime estimate

Enter your soil pH to estimate lime. No test yet? A ~$15 soil test is the highest-ROI thing you can do for a plot.

Seeding rate
4–6 lbs/ac
Plant depth
1/4"
Planting window
Aug–Sep (fall) or Mar–Apr (spring frost-seed)
Ideal pH
6.5
Deer preference
High
Type
perennial
Shop Ladino White Clover seed →

Calculators by crop

Pick your planting

Every crop has its own calculator with seeding rates, planting dates, and pH targets.

Method

How the calculator works

Every crop has a recommended seeding rate— the pounds of seed per acre that produces a healthy stand without wasting money. This tool multiplies that rate by your plot size and rounds it into the bag sizes seed actually comes in, so you know exactly what to buy. Enter your soil pH and it also estimates how much lime you'll need to hit the ~6.5 sweet spot most food plot crops want.

New to plots? Start with our soil test & lime guide, then pick a crop above. Clover and chicory are forgiving perennials; brassicas and cereal grains are cheap, fast fall plots.

FAQ

Common questions

How do food plot seeding rates work?
Seeding rate is the pounds of seed per acre for a good stand. Multiply the rate by your plot's acreage to get total pounds. Broadcasting (spreading by hand or spreader) usually uses a bit more seed than drilling. This calculator does the math and converts it into bags to buy.
How do I measure my food plot size?
For rectangular plots, multiply length × width in feet, then divide by 43,560 to get acres. The calculator accepts either acres or square feet, so you can enter whatever you measured.
Should I broadcast or drill seed?
Most food-plotters broadcast because it needs no special equipment. Drilling places seed at a consistent depth and typically uses less seed, so it's more efficient for large or grain plots. Pick the method in the calculator to use the right rate.
Do I need lime and fertilizer?
Almost always. Most untouched soil is too acidic, which locks up fertilizer. Get a $15 soil test, lime to about pH 6.5, and fertilize to the crop's needs (legumes make their own nitrogen; brassicas and grains want more).