When to Plant Food Plots in Louisiana
In central Louisiana, the average last spring frost comes around March 5 and the first fall frost around November 20. Every date on this page is set from those two. North Louisiana runs about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall.
In the Planting Window Now
- Clover (white) — until October 21
- Clover (crimson) — until October 26
- Winter wheat — until November 25
- Cereal rye — until December 10
- Oats — until October 31
- Austrian winter peas — until October 26
- Annual ryegrass — until November 10
- Alfalfa — until October 16
Coming up: Chicory from February 19; Corn from March 5; Buckwheat from March 19; Sunflowers from April 1.
In Louisiana's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 19, 2026 and firearm season opens October 17, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by October 6 and oats by October 31; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Louisiana deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Louisiana
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 1 – October 6
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)September 21 – October 21
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)September 21 – October 26
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicorySeptember 21 – October 11
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasSeptember 21 – October 26
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaSeptember 21 – October 16
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsSeptember 26 – October 31
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassOctober 1 – November 10
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeOctober 6 – December 10
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatOctober 11 – November 25
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Louisiana
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 12 – April 2
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaFebruary 12 – March 26
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryFebruary 19 – April 4
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMarch 5 – April 9
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- BuckwheatMarch 19 – September 6
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.
Louisiana Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Feb 12–Apr 2 | Sep 21–Oct 21 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Sep 21–Oct 26 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Feb 19–Apr 4 | Sep 21–Oct 11 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Sep 1–Oct 6 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Oct 11–Nov 25 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Oct 6–Dec 10 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Sep 26–Oct 31 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Sep 21–Oct 26 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Oct 1–Nov 10 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Feb 12–Mar 26 | Sep 21–Oct 16 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 15–May 25 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Mar 5–Apr 9 | — | 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 19–Sep 6 | — | 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.
Louisiana Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Louisiana?
In central Louisiana, where the first fall frost averages around November 20, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from September 1 – October 6, then oats from September 26 – October 31, then winter wheat from October 11 – November 25. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Louisiana?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about December 10 in central Louisiana. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Louisiana?
White clover can be planted in spring (February 12 – April 2) or in late summer (September 21 – October 21). 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 Louisiana?
From September 1 – October 6, 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 Louisiana?
Soybeans from April 15 – May 25; Corn from March 5 – April 9. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around March 5.
Know when to plant.
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More for Louisiana Hunters
Nearby states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas