When to Plant Food Plots in New Mexico
In central New Mexico's mid-elevation country, the average last spring frost comes around April 30 and the first fall frost around October 15. Every date on this page is set from those two. The mountains frost much later in spring and earlier in fall; the southern lowlands, the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 20
- Cereal rye — until November 4
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 9; Alfalfa from April 9; Chicory from April 16; Corn from April 30.
In New Mexico's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 1, 2026 and firearm season opens October 24, 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. New Mexico deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in New Mexico
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 New Mexico
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 9 – May 28
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 9 – May 21
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 16 – May 30
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 30 – June 4
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 7 – June 19
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 10 – June 27
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 14 – August 1
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 21 – July 7
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 21 – June 27
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
New Mexico Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 9–May 28 | Aug 16–Sep 15 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 16–May 30 | — | 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 | Apr 9–May 21 | Aug 16–Sep 10 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 10–Jun 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 30–Jun 4 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 21–Jul 7 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 7–Jun 19 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 21–Jun 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 14–Aug 1 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of New Mexico: 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.
New Mexico Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in New Mexico?
In central New Mexico's mid-elevation country, 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 New Mexico?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 4 in central New Mexico's mid-elevation country. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in New Mexico?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 9 – May 28) 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 New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
Soybeans from May 10 – June 27; Corn from April 30 – June 4. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 30.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in New Mexico?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than central New Mexico's mid-elevation country has (about 168 days).
Know when to plant.
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