When to Plant Food Plots in Indiana
In central Indiana, the average last spring frost comes around April 20 and the first fall frost around October 15. Every date on this page is set from those two. Southern Indiana runs about a week earlier in spring and later in fall.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 20
- Cereal rye — until November 4
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 30; Alfalfa from March 30; Chicory from April 6; Corn from April 20.
In Indiana, archery deer season opened October 1, 2026 and firearm season opens November 14, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 31 and oats by September 25; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Indiana deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Indiana
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)July 27 – August 31
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 16 – September 15
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 16 – September 20
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 16 – September 20
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 16 – September 10
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 21 – September 25
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 26 – October 5
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 31 – November 4
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 5 – October 20
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Indiana
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)March 30 – May 18
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 30 – May 11
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 6 – May 20
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 20 – May 25
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 27 – June 9
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 30 – June 24
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 4 – August 1
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 11 – June 29
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 11 – June 27
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Indiana Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 30–May 18 | Aug 16–Sep 15 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 6–May 20 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 27–Aug 31 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 5–Oct 20 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 31–Nov 4 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 26–Oct 5 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 30–May 11 | Aug 16–Sep 10 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 30–Jun 24 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 20–May 25 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 11–Jun 29 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 27–Jun 9 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 11–Jun 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 4–Aug 1 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Indiana: Lablab (the frost-free season is too short).
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.
Indiana Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Indiana?
In central Indiana, where the first fall frost averages around October 15, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 27 – August 31, then oats from August 21 – September 25, then winter wheat from September 5 – October 20. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Indiana?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 4 in central Indiana. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Indiana?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 30 – May 18) or in late summer (August 16 – September 15). 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 Indiana?
From July 27 – August 31, 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 Indiana?
Soybeans from April 30 – June 24; Corn from April 20 – May 25. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 20.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Indiana?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than central Indiana has (about 178 days).
Know when to plant.
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