Winter wheat Food Plot Guide
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Seed Rate
120
lbs/acre
Fertilizer
300
lbs/acre (13-13-13)
Depth
1 to 1
Products
3
available
Overview
Winter wheat is the workhorse of fall food plots. It's cheap, easy to grow, germinates in days, tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, and provides green forage from October through May in most of the whitetail's range. While not as protein-rich as legumes, winter wheat fills a critical gap as a reliable nurse crop, erosion controller, and deer attractor. It's the perfect companion for brassicas (gives deer something to eat before frost) and clover (protects slow-starting clover seedlings from weed competition). Many experienced food plotters seed winter wheat into every fall plot as a base layer.
New to food plots? Read our beginner's guide for step-by-step planting instructions, or use the Winter wheat seed calculator to plan your plot.
Why Deer Love Winter wheat
Deer are drawn to the tender green shoots of winter wheat from the moment it emerges in fall. It provides 12-18% crude protein in its vegetative stage and, because it stays green through winter, offers consistent forage when most other plants are dormant. In early spring, winter wheat is one of the first green foods available, pulling deer back to your plot weeks before other crops emerge. The lush early growth coincides with the period when deer are nutritionally stressed after winter.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Best Soil Types
Extremely adaptable — grows in sandy loam, clay, and everything in between. One of the most forgiving food plot crops for less-than-ideal soils.
Soil pH Range
5.5–7.0 (ideal 6.0–6.5). More pH-tolerant than legumes.
Planting Depth
1 to 1.5 inches. Wheat seed is large enough to plant deeper than clovers or brassicas.
Check our planting calendar for the best planting window in your state.
Planting Tips
- 1
Plant 4-6 weeks before the first expected frost for optimal fall establishment.
- 2
Broadcast at 120 lbs/acre and drag or disc lightly to cover seed. Wheat is very forgiving of rough seedbeds.
- 3
Mix with brassicas and/or crimson clover for a diverse fall plot that provides attraction from October through April.
- 4
Winter wheat can be no-till drilled for the best establishment — rental drills are available at most farm supply stores.
- 5
Topdress with 50 lbs/acre urea in early spring for a burst of green growth right when deer need it most.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping winter wheat because it's 'boring' — it's the most reliable fall food plot crop, period.
Seeding too light — at 120 lbs/acre, you need significant seed volume. Buy by the bushel (60 lbs) at your local farm store.
Not pairing it with a legume or brassica — wheat alone is decent, but wheat + clover or wheat + turnips is exceptional.
Letting it go to head in spring — if you want to maintain wheat as forage, mow it before it produces seed heads.
Recommended Winter wheat Seed Products
Domain Outdoor
Winter Wheat Food Plot Seed
Cold tough. Fast growing. Deer devouring. Winter Wheat is a versatile and easy to grow cereal grain that delivers season long attraction and nutrition for whitetails. Ideal for fall or spring planting, overseeding, nurse cropping, or broadcasting into poor soils.
Find Best Price ↗Domain Outdoor
Winter Rye Food Plot Seed
Winter Rye is one of the most reliable and forgiving food plot options available. It germinates quickly, grows in almost any soil condition, and remains palatable well into late season. Extremely cold tolerant, makes an excellent nurse crop for perennials or brassicas, and can be broadcast into bare or lightly disked soil for a fast and easy plot. Also ideal for building soil health thanks to its deep root structure.
Find Best Price ↗Deer Creek Seed
MTF 1435 Winter Wheat (Awnless)
Montana State University (MSU) has developed MTF1435 as a successor to the popular Willow Creek forage wheat. MTF1435 is a tall, awnless, hard red winter wheat developed for forage production; however, the variety possesses grain yield and quality characteristics that make it attractive as a dual-purpose crop (forage and grain). Compared to Willow Creek, MTF1435 produces 35% higher seed yield and heads out 5 days earlier while maintaining similar forage yield and forage quality.
Find Best Price ↗Best Paired With
These crops complement winter wheat in a food plot rotation or mix:
Brassicas (turnips/radishes)
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
Clover (crimson)
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
Oats
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What soil type is best for winter wheat food plots?▾
Extremely adaptable — grows in sandy loam, clay, and everything in between. One of the most forgiving food plot crops for less-than-ideal soils. Ideal soil pH: 5.5–7.0 (ideal 6.0–6.5). More pH-tolerant than legumes..
How deep should you plant winter wheat seed?▾
1 to 1.5 inches. Wheat seed is large enough to plant deeper than clovers or brassicas.
How much winter wheat seed do you need per acre?▾
The recommended seeding rate for winter wheat is 120 lbs per acre. Apply 300 lbs/acre of 13-13-13 fertilizer.
Why do deer like winter wheat?▾
Deer are drawn to the tender green shoots of winter wheat from the moment it emerges in fall. It provides 12-18% crude protein in its vegetative stage and, because it stays green through winter, offers consistent forage when most other plants are dormant. In early spring, winter wheat is one of the first green foods available, pulling deer back to your plot weeks before other crops emerge. The lush early growth coincides with the period when deer are nutritionally stressed after winter.
What are common mistakes when planting winter wheat food plots?▾
Skipping winter wheat because it's 'boring' — it's the most reliable fall food plot crop, period. Seeding too light — at 120 lbs/acre, you need significant seed volume. Buy by the bushel (60 lbs) at your local farm store. Not pairing it with a legume or brassica — wheat alone is decent, but wheat + clover or wheat + turnips is exceptional. Letting it go to head in spring — if you want to maintain wheat as forage, mow it before it produces seed heads.
What crops grow well with winter wheat in a food plot?▾
Winter wheat pairs well with brassicas (turnips/radishes), clover (crimson), oats in a food plot rotation or mix.
Map Your Winter wheat Plot
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