Alfalfa Food Plot Guide
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
Seed Rate
15
lbs/acre
Fertilizer
200
lbs/acre (0-20-20)
Depth
¼ inch
Products
1
available
Overview
Alfalfa is the queen of perennial forages — a deep-rooted legume that can produce 4-6 tons of forage per acre per year and last 5-8 years when properly managed. It's the highest-protein food plot crop available, making it a magnet for deer, especially does and fawns during summer. The challenge with alfalfa in food plots is that it demands near-perfect soil conditions: pH above 6.5, well-drained soil, and low weed pressure. It's also less tolerant of heavy deer browse than food-plot-specific clover varieties. But on the right ground with the right management, an alfalfa plot is a decade-long investment that produces more high-quality forage per acre than any other perennial crop.
New to food plots? Read our beginner's guide for step-by-step planting instructions, or use the Alfalfa seed calculator to plan your plot.
Why Deer Love Alfalfa
Alfalfa produces 20-28% crude protein forage — the highest of any common food plot crop. Deer browse it aggressively from spring green-up through fall dormancy. The deep taproot (10+ feet at maturity) means alfalfa stays green and productive during summer droughts when clover goes dormant. Multiple regrowth cycles through the season mean the plot continuously produces fresh, palatable foliage. Alfalfa also attracts turkeys, rabbits, and other small game.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Best Soil Types
DEMANDS well-drained, deep, fertile soil. Clay-loam and silt-loam with good internal drainage are ideal. Will NOT tolerate wet feet — avoid bottomland or heavy clay.
Soil pH Range
6.5–7.5 (ideal 7.0). Alfalfa has the strictest pH requirement of any food plot crop. Below 6.5, it will fail. Soil testing and liming is mandatory.
Planting Depth
¼ inch. Small seed that needs firm seedbed and good seed-to-soil contact. Cultipack before and after seeding.
Check our planting calendar for the best planting window in your state.
Planting Tips
- 1
Get a soil test BEFORE you commit to alfalfa. If your pH is below 6.0, it's cheaper to plant clover and lime gradually over two years.
- 2
Plant in spring after frost danger has passed, or in late summer (60 days before frost) for fall establishment.
- 3
Inoculate seed with alfalfa-specific rhizobium bacteria — this is non-negotiable for new ground.
- 4
Allow the plot to establish for 60 days before any deer browse or mowing. A first-year alfalfa plot needs protection.
- 5
Topdress with 0-20-20 annually in spring for continued phosphorus and potassium.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Planting in acidic soil without liming first — the #1 cause of alfalfa food plot failure. pH must be 6.5+.
Planting on poorly drained ground — alfalfa roots rot in waterlogged soil. It needs the water table below 3 feet.
Not managing weeds in the first year — alfalfa is slow to fill in and grasses will overtake it without intervention.
Expecting instant results — alfalfa takes a full year to establish its root system. Year two and beyond is where the payoff comes.
Recommended Alfalfa Seed Products
Domain Outdoor
Domain Pounder - Alfalfa Food Plot Seed
Premium perennial alfalfa food plot seed. High protein, drought-resistant, and highly palatable to whitetails. Features Shift Alfalfa variety with high winter durability, dense multifoliate leaf, resistance to major alfalfa diseases, and excellent longevity. Provides essential forage from spring through fall.
Find Best Price ↗Best Paired With
These crops complement alfalfa in a food plot rotation or mix:
Frequently Asked Questions
What soil type is best for alfalfa food plots?▾
DEMANDS well-drained, deep, fertile soil. Clay-loam and silt-loam with good internal drainage are ideal. Will NOT tolerate wet feet — avoid bottomland or heavy clay. Ideal soil pH: 6.5–7.5 (ideal 7.0). Alfalfa has the strictest pH requirement of any food plot crop. Below 6.5, it will fail. Soil testing and liming is mandatory..
How deep should you plant alfalfa seed?▾
¼ inch. Small seed that needs firm seedbed and good seed-to-soil contact. Cultipack before and after seeding.
How much alfalfa seed do you need per acre?▾
The recommended seeding rate for alfalfa is 15 lbs per acre. Apply 200 lbs/acre of 0-20-20 fertilizer.
Why do deer like alfalfa?▾
Alfalfa produces 20-28% crude protein forage — the highest of any common food plot crop. Deer browse it aggressively from spring green-up through fall dormancy. The deep taproot (10+ feet at maturity) means alfalfa stays green and productive during summer droughts when clover goes dormant. Multiple regrowth cycles through the season mean the plot continuously produces fresh, palatable foliage. Alfalfa also attracts turkeys, rabbits, and other small game.
What are common mistakes when planting alfalfa food plots?▾
Planting in acidic soil without liming first — the #1 cause of alfalfa food plot failure. pH must be 6.5+. Planting on poorly drained ground — alfalfa roots rot in waterlogged soil. It needs the water table below 3 feet. Not managing weeds in the first year — alfalfa is slow to fill in and grasses will overtake it without intervention. Expecting instant results — alfalfa takes a full year to establish its root system. Year two and beyond is where the payoff comes.
What crops grow well with alfalfa in a food plot?▾
Alfalfa pairs well with chicory in a food plot rotation or mix.
Map Your Alfalfa Plot
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