When to Plant Food Plots in North Carolina
In the Piedmont, the average last spring frost comes around April 10 and the first fall frost around October 25. Every date on this page is set from those two. The mountains run two to three weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; the Coastal Plain, a week the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 30
- Cereal rye — until November 14
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 20; Alfalfa from March 20; Chicory from March 27; Corn from April 10.
In North Carolina's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 12, 2026 and firearm season opens October 17, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 10 and oats by October 5; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. North Carolina deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in North Carolina
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 6 – September 10
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 26 – September 25
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 26 – September 30
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicoryAugust 26 – September 15
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 26 – September 30
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 26 – September 20
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 31 – October 5
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassSeptember 5 – October 15
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 10 – November 14
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 15 – October 30
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in North Carolina
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 20 – May 8
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 20 – May 1
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryMarch 27 – May 10
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 10 – May 15
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 17 – May 30
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 20 – June 14
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatApril 24 – August 11
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 1 – June 19
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabMay 1 – June 29
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaMay 1 – June 24
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
North Carolina Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 20–May 8 | Aug 26–Sep 25 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Mar 27–May 10 | Aug 26–Sep 15 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 6–Sep 10 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 15–Oct 30 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 10–Nov 14 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 31–Oct 5 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Sep 5–Oct 15 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 20–May 1 | Aug 26–Sep 20 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 20–Jun 14 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 10–May 15 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 1–Jun 19 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 17–May 30 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | May 1–Jun 29 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 1–Jun 24 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Apr 24–Aug 11 | — | 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.
North Carolina Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in North Carolina?
In the Piedmont, where the first fall frost averages around October 25, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 6 – September 10, then oats from August 31 – October 5, then winter wheat from September 15 – October 30. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in North Carolina?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 14 in the Piedmont. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in North Carolina?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 20 – May 8) or in late summer (August 26 – September 25). 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 North Carolina?
From August 6 – September 10, 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 North Carolina?
Soybeans from April 20 – June 14; Corn from April 10 – May 15. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 10.
Know when to plant.
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More for North Carolina Hunters
Nearby states: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia