When to Plant Food Plots in Florida
In north and central Florida, the average last spring frost comes around February 25 and the first fall frost around December 1. Every date on this page is set from those two. The Panhandle frosts a few weeks longer; South Florida rarely frosts at all.
In the Planting Window Now
- Clover (white) — until November 1
- Clover (crimson) — until November 6
- Chicory — until October 22
- Brassicas (turnips/radishes) — until October 17
- Oats — until November 11
- Austrian winter peas — until November 6
- Annual ryegrass — until November 21
- Alfalfa — until October 27
Coming up: Cereal rye from October 17; Winter wheat from October 22; Corn from March 1; Buckwheat from March 11.
In Florida's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened August 1, 2026 and firearm season opened September 19, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by October 17 and oats by November 11; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Florida deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Florida
Fall plots carry deer through hunting season. Plant in this order: crops that need the most growing time go in first, and the hardy cereal grains go in last.
- Brassicas (turnips/radishes)September 12 – October 17
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)October 2 – November 1
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)October 2 – November 6
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicoryOctober 2 – October 22
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasOctober 2 – November 6
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaOctober 2 – October 27
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsOctober 7 – November 11
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassOctober 12 – November 21
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeOctober 17 – December 21
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatOctober 22 – December 6
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Florida
Perennials like clover and chicory go in early; warm-season crops like soybeans, corn and sorghum wait for warm soil after the last frost.
- Clover (white)February 4 – March 25
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaFebruary 4 – March 18
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryFebruary 11 – March 27
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMarch 1 – April 1
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- BuckwheatMarch 11 – September 17
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- SunflowersApril 1 – May 6
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 15 – May 25
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- Grain sorghum (milo)April 15 – May 25
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabApril 15 – May 30
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaApril 15 – May 25
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Florida Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Feb 4–Mar 25 | Oct 2–Nov 1 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Oct 2–Nov 6 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Feb 11–Mar 27 | Oct 2–Oct 22 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Sep 12–Oct 17 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Oct 22–Dec 6 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Oct 17–Dec 21 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Oct 7–Nov 11 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Oct 2–Nov 6 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Oct 12–Nov 21 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Feb 4–Mar 18 | Oct 2–Oct 27 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 15–May 25 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Mar 1–Apr 1 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | Apr 15–May 25 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 1–May 6 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | Apr 15–May 30 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | Apr 15–May 25 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Mar 11–Sep 17 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Work out seed and fertilizer for your acreage with the food plot calculator, or map your plots on satellite imagery. Frost dates are long-term averages; your county can differ by a week or more, so lean early for fall crops in a cold pocket and late for warm-season crops.
Florida Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Florida?
In north and central Florida, where the first fall frost averages around December 1, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from September 12 – October 17, then oats from October 7 – November 11, then winter wheat from October 22 – December 6. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Florida?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about December 21 in north and central Florida. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Florida?
White clover can be planted in spring (February 4 – March 25) or in late summer (October 2 – November 1). Fall seedings face less weed pressure; spring seedings can also be frost-seeded onto frozen ground in late winter.
When should I plant turnips and brassicas in Florida?
From September 12 – October 17, about 45 to 80 days before the first fall frost. Bulbs need that long to size up, and the first hard frost turns their starches to sugar, when deer start eating them.
When should I plant soybeans and corn for deer in Florida?
Soybeans from April 15 – May 25; Corn from March 1 – April 1. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around February 25.
Know when to plant.
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