By condition
Food plots for tough conditions
Not every plot site is ideal. Heavy clay, droughty sand, wet bottoms, shade, a tiny kill plot, a tight budget — here's what actually works when the ground is working against you.
Clay can grow a great plot — it holds moisture and nutrients — but it's tight, slow-draining, and compacts hard. These crops handle it.
Sandy SoilSand drains fast and holds little water or nutrients. The plots that win here are deep-rooted and drought-tough.
Wet GroundLow, wet, or poorly drained ground drowns most food plot crops — but a few thrive in it, and wet spots can be an asset.
ShadeTucked-in woods plots get limited sun, and most food plot crops are sun-lovers. Here's what tolerates shade — and the honest limits.
Small PlotsA quarter-acre kill plot near a stand plays by different rules than a big field — browse pressure is the enemy, so pick crops that take a beating.
Cheap Food Plots on a BudgetYou don't need premium branded blends to pull deer. These crops deliver the most plot per dollar.
Once you've picked a crop, size it with the food plot calculator or browse all crops.