When to Plant Food Plots in Michigan
In central Lower Michigan, the average last spring frost comes around May 10 and the first fall frost around October 1. Every date on this page is set from those two. The Upper Peninsula runs about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; southern Michigan, a week the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 21
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 19; Alfalfa from April 19; Chicory from April 26; Corn from May 10.
In Michigan, archery deer season opened October 1, 2026 and firearm season opens November 15, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 17 and oats by September 11; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Michigan deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Michigan
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 13 – August 17
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 2 – September 1
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 2 – September 6
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 2 – September 6
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 2 – August 27
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 7 – September 11
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 12 – September 21
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 17 – October 21
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 22 – October 6
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Michigan
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 19 – June 7
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 19 – May 31
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 26 – June 9
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMay 10 – June 3
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 17 – June 23
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 20 – June 13
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 24 – July 18
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 31 – June 23
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
Michigan Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 19–Jun 7 | Aug 2–Sep 1 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 2–Sep 6 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 26–Jun 9 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 13–Aug 17 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 22–Oct 6 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 17–Oct 21 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 7–Sep 11 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 2–Sep 6 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 12–Sep 21 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 19–May 31 | Aug 2–Aug 27 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 20–Jun 13 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | May 10–Jun 3 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 31–Jun 23 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 17–Jun 23 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 24–Jul 18 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Michigan: Lablab, Chufa (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.
Michigan Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Michigan?
In central Lower Michigan, where the first fall frost averages around October 1, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 13 – August 17, then oats from August 7 – September 11, then winter wheat from August 22 – October 6. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Michigan?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 21 in central Lower Michigan. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Michigan?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 19 – June 7) or in late summer (August 2 – September 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 Michigan?
From July 13 – August 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 Michigan?
Soybeans from May 20 – June 13; Corn from May 10 – June 3. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around May 10.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Michigan?
Lablab and Chufa need a longer frost-free season than central Lower Michigan has (about 144 days).
Know when to plant.
In planting season, the Friday Hunting Briefing ends with food plot reminders by state: which planting windows open and close in the next two weeks. Plus seed deals and hunting news. Free, unsubscribe anytime.