When to Plant Food Plots in Oklahoma
In central Oklahoma, the average last spring frost comes around April 1 and the first fall frost around November 1. Every date on this page is set from those two. The Panhandle runs about two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until November 6
- Cereal rye — until November 21
- Annual ryegrass — until October 22
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 11; Alfalfa from March 11; Chicory from March 18; Corn from April 1.
In Oklahoma, archery deer season opened October 1, 2026 and firearm season opens November 21, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 17 and oats by October 12; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Oklahoma deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Oklahoma
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 13 – September 17
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)September 2 – October 2
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)September 2 – October 7
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicorySeptember 2 – September 22
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasSeptember 2 – October 7
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaSeptember 2 – September 27
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsSeptember 7 – October 12
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassSeptember 12 – October 22
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 17 – November 21
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 22 – November 6
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Oklahoma
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 11 – April 29
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 11 – April 22
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryMarch 18 – May 1
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 1 – May 6
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 8 – May 21
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 15 – June 5
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatApril 15 – August 18
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)April 22 – June 10
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabApril 22 – June 20
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaApril 22 – June 15
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Oklahoma Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 11–Apr 29 | Sep 2–Oct 2 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Sep 2–Oct 7 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Mar 18–May 1 | Sep 2–Sep 22 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 13–Sep 17 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 22–Nov 6 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 17–Nov 21 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Sep 7–Oct 12 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Sep 2–Oct 7 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Sep 12–Oct 22 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 11–Apr 22 | Sep 2–Sep 27 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 15–Jun 5 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 1–May 6 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | Apr 22–Jun 10 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 8–May 21 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | Apr 22–Jun 20 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | Apr 22–Jun 15 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Apr 15–Aug 18 | — | 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.
Oklahoma Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Oklahoma?
In central Oklahoma, where the first fall frost averages around November 1, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 13 – September 17, then oats from September 7 – October 12, then winter wheat from September 22 – November 6. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Oklahoma?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 21 in central Oklahoma. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Oklahoma?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 11 – April 29) or in late summer (September 2 – October 2). 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 Oklahoma?
From August 13 – September 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 Oklahoma?
Soybeans from April 15 – June 5; Corn from April 1 – May 6. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 1.
Know when to plant.
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More for Oklahoma Hunters
Nearby states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas