When to Plant Food Plots in Pennsylvania
In central Pennsylvania, the average last spring frost comes around May 1 and the first fall frost around October 10. Every date on this page is set from those two. The northern tier runs about a week later in spring and earlier in fall; the southeast, two weeks the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 30
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 10; Alfalfa from April 10; Chicory from April 17; Corn from May 1.
In Pennsylvania's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 19, 2026 and firearm season opens November 28, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 26 and oats by September 20; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Pennsylvania deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Pennsylvania
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 22 – August 26
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 11 – September 10
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 11 – September 15
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 11 – September 15
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 11 – September 5
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 16 – September 20
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 21 – September 30
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 26 – October 30
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 31 – October 15
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Pennsylvania
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 10 – May 29
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 10 – May 22
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 17 – May 31
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMay 1 – June 5
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 8 – June 20
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 11 – June 22
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 15 – July 27
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 22 – July 2
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 22 – June 22
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Pennsylvania Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 10–May 29 | Aug 11–Sep 10 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 17–May 31 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 22–Aug 26 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 31–Oct 15 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 26–Oct 30 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 21–Sep 30 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 10–May 22 | Aug 11–Sep 5 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 11–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | May 1–Jun 5 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 22–Jul 2 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 8–Jun 20 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 22–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 15–Jul 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Pennsylvania: 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.
Pennsylvania Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Pennsylvania?
In central Pennsylvania, where the first fall frost averages around October 10, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 22 – August 26, then oats from August 16 – September 20, then winter wheat from August 31 – October 15. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Pennsylvania?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 30 in central Pennsylvania. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Pennsylvania?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 10 – May 29) or in late summer (August 11 – September 10). 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 Pennsylvania?
From July 22 – August 26, 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 Pennsylvania?
Soybeans from May 11 – June 22; Corn from May 1 – June 5. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around May 1.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Pennsylvania?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than central Pennsylvania has (about 162 days).
Know when to plant.
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More for Pennsylvania Hunters
Nearby states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia