The one rule of blending: don't over-seed
The most common mistake in a homemade blend is using each crop's full solo rate, which crowds the stand and stunts everything. Instead, cut each component — a good starting point is 40–60% of its solo rate — so the combined seeds-per-square-foot stays sane. Go heavier on grains and lighter on small seeds like clover and brassica, which crowd fast.
Build a blend that works
Combine crops with compatible planting depths and timing. A proven fall mix is cereal rye + brassica + clover or winter peas; a perennial standby is clover + chicory. Not sure which crops pair well? Each crop page lists companion crops, and the seeding rate chart shows every solo rate the blend is built from.
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Seed Blend FAQ
- How do you mix your own food plot blend?
- Pick crops that work together, then cut each one below its solo seeding rate so the mix isn't over-crowded. A typical blend uses 40–60% of each component's full rate. The calculator above does this math: set each crop's percentage and it returns the pounds of each to buy for your plot.
- What is a good food plot seed blend?
- The classic fall blend is cereal rye + a brassica + a clover or winter pea — grain for fast forage, brassica for late-season frost draw, legume for protein. A perennial favorite is clover + chicory. Match the blend to your season and soil, and don't combine crops with very different planting depths.
- How much of each seed goes in a blend?
- Reduce each crop's solo rate so the total seeds-per-square-foot stays reasonable. As a starting point, use about half of each component's full broadcast rate in a two- or three-way mix. Heavier on the grain, lighter on small seeds like clover and brassica, which crowd easily.
- Is it cheaper to mix my own blend?
- Usually, yes. Buying individual crops by the bag and mixing your own is typically cheaper than branded pre-mixed blends, and you control the ratios. The trade-off is a little more effort and the need to match crops with compatible planting depths and timing.