When to Plant Food Plots in Iowa
In central Iowa, the average last spring frost comes around April 25 and the first fall frost around October 10. Every date on this page is set from those two. Northern Iowa runs about a week later in spring and earlier in fall.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 30
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 4; Alfalfa from April 4; Chicory from April 11; Corn from April 25.
In Iowa, archery deer season opened October 1, 2026 and firearm season opens December 5, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 26 and oats by September 20; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Iowa deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Iowa
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 22 – August 26
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 11 – September 10
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 11 – September 15
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 11 – September 15
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 11 – September 5
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 16 – September 20
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 21 – September 30
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 26 – October 30
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 31 – October 15
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Iowa
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)April 4 – May 23
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 4 – May 16
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 11 – May 25
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 25 – May 30
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 2 – June 14
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 5 – June 22
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 9 – July 27
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 16 – July 2
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 16 – June 22
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Iowa Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 4–May 23 | Aug 11–Sep 10 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 11–May 25 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 22–Aug 26 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 31–Oct 15 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 26–Oct 30 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 21–Sep 30 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 4–May 16 | Aug 11–Sep 5 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 5–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 25–May 30 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 16–Jul 2 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 2–Jun 14 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 16–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 9–Jul 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Iowa: 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.
Iowa Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Iowa?
In central Iowa, where the first fall frost averages around October 10, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 22 – August 26, then oats from August 16 – September 20, then winter wheat from August 31 – October 15. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Iowa?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 30 in central Iowa. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Iowa?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 4 – May 23) or in late summer (August 11 – September 10). 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 Iowa?
From July 22 – August 26, 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 Iowa?
Soybeans from May 5 – June 22; Corn from April 25 – May 30. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 25.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Iowa?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than central Iowa has (about 168 days).
Know when to plant.
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More for Iowa Hunters
Nearby states: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin