Why spring is for establishing perennials
Perennial clover and chicory plots planted in spring get spring rains and a full growing season to develop deep roots before they face their first summer and winter. A stand you establish well in spring can feed deer for the next three to five years — making spring the highest- leverage planting window for a permanent plot.
Perennials to establish
These are the crops worth getting in the ground in spring. Clover fixes its own nitrogen; chicory's taproot carries the plot through summer dry spells; a blend of the two is the gold standard.
Quick spring annuals
Want green now while the perennials take hold? Spring oats germinate fast and deer hit them early; buckwheat is a quick warm-season smother crop once frost is past and a great soil builder between plantings.
Ready for warm-season protein? Soybeans, cowpeas, and lablab go in once the soil warms — see the summer food plot guide.
When to plant by region
- South: March–April for perennials and oats; warm-season crops in May.
- North: April–May once the soil can be worked; warm-season crops in late May–June.
- Frost-seeding clover: broadcast onto late-winter frozen/thawing ground (Feb–March) and let the freeze- thaw cycle work seed in — the easiest clover start there is.
FAQ
- What should I plant in a spring food plot?
- Spring is the best window to establish perennials — ladino clover, red clover, chicory, and clover-chicory blends — because they get rain and a full season to root before summer heat. Add a quick cool-season annual like spring oats for fast forage, and hold warm-season crops (soybeans, cowpeas) until soil warms in late spring.
- When do you plant a spring food plot?
- Plant cool-season perennials and oats as soon as the soil can be worked and hard frost risk is past — typically March–April in the South and April–May in the North. Warm-season crops wait until soil hits ~65°F, usually May–June.
- Is it better to plant clover in spring or fall?
- Both work, but spring planting lets a perennial clover stand fully establish before its first winter, and a frost-seeding in late winter is one of the easiest ways to start clover. Fall planting also works in mild climates. The key either way is good seed-to-soil contact and a pH near 6.5.
- What is the best spring food plot for deer?
- A clover-chicory blend is the best all-around spring planting: it establishes in spring, feeds deer high protein spring through fall, and comes back for several years. Pair it with a small oats plot for instant green while the perennials take hold.