When to Plant Food Plots in Maryland
In central Maryland, the average last spring frost comes around April 20 and the first fall frost around October 20. Every date on this page is set from those two. Western Maryland runs two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; the Eastern Shore, a week the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 25
- Cereal rye — until November 9
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 30; Alfalfa from March 30; Chicory from April 6; Corn from April 20.
In Maryland, archery deer season opened September 11, 2026 and firearm season opens November 28, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 5 and oats by September 30; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Maryland deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Maryland
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)August 1 – September 5
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 21 – September 20
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 21 – September 25
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 21 – September 25
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 21 – September 15
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 26 – September 30
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 31 – October 10
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 5 – November 9
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 10 – October 25
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Maryland
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 6
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.
- LablabMay 11 – July 9
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaMay 11 – July 2
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Maryland Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 30–May 18 | Aug 21–Sep 20 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 6–May 20 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 1–Sep 5 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 10–Oct 25 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 5–Nov 9 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 31–Oct 10 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 30–May 11 | Aug 21–Sep 15 | 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 |
| Lablab | May 11–Jul 9 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 11–Jul 2 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 4–Aug 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.
Maryland Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Maryland?
In central Maryland, where the first fall frost averages around October 20, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 1 – September 5, then oats from August 26 – September 30, then winter wheat from September 10 – October 25. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Maryland?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 9 in central Maryland. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Maryland?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 30 – May 18) or in late summer (August 21 – September 20). 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 Maryland?
From August 1 – September 5, 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 Maryland?
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.
Know when to plant.
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More for Maryland Hunters
Nearby states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia