When to Plant Food Plots in North Dakota
In central North Dakota, the average last spring frost comes around May 15 and the first fall frost around September 20. Every date on this page is set from those two.
Nothing to Plant Right Now
North Dakota is between planting windows.
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 24; Alfalfa from April 24; Chicory from May 1; Sunflowers from May 22.
In North Dakota, archery deer season opened September 4, 2026 and firearm season opens November 6, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 6 and oats by August 31; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. North Dakota deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in North Dakota
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 2 – August 6
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)July 22 – August 21
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)July 22 – August 26
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasJuly 22 – August 26
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaJuly 22 – August 16
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsJuly 27 – August 31
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 1 – September 10
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 6 – October 10
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 11 – September 25
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in North Dakota
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 24 – June 12
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 24 – June 5
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryMay 1 – June 14
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- SunflowersMay 22 – June 12
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- BuckwheatMay 29 – July 7
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
North Dakota Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 24–Jun 12 | Jul 22–Aug 21 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Jul 22–Aug 26 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | May 1–Jun 14 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 2–Aug 6 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 11–Sep 25 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 6–Oct 10 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Jul 27–Aug 31 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Jul 22–Aug 26 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 1–Sep 10 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 24–Jun 5 | Jul 22–Aug 16 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 22–Jun 12 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 29–Jul 7 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of North Dakota: Soybeans, Corn, Grain sorghum (milo), 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.
North Dakota Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in North Dakota?
In central North Dakota, where the first fall frost averages around September 20, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 2 – August 6, then oats from July 27 – August 31, then winter wheat from August 11 – September 25. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in North Dakota?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 10 in central North Dakota. 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 Dakota?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 24 – June 12) or in late summer (July 22 – August 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 North Dakota?
From July 2 – August 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.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in North Dakota?
Soybeans, Corn, Grain sorghum (milo), Lablab and Chufa need a longer frost-free season than central North Dakota has (about 128 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.
More for North Dakota Hunters
Nearby states: Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota