When to Plant Food Plots in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the average last spring frost comes around April 25 and the first fall frost around October 20. Every date on this page is set from those two.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 25
- Cereal rye — until November 9
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 4; Alfalfa from April 4; Chicory from April 11; Corn from April 25.
In Rhode Island's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 15, 2026 and firearm season opens December 5, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 5 and oats by September 30; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Rhode Island deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Rhode Island
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 1 – September 5
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 21 – September 20
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 21 – September 25
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 21 – September 25
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 21 – September 15
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 26 – September 30
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 31 – October 10
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 5 – November 9
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 10 – October 25
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Rhode Island
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 4 – May 23
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 4 – May 16
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 11 – May 25
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 25 – May 30
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 2 – June 14
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 5 – June 29
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 9 – August 6
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 16 – July 4
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 16 – July 2
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Rhode Island Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 4–May 23 | Aug 21–Sep 20 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 11–May 25 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 1–Sep 5 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 10–Oct 25 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 5–Nov 9 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 31–Oct 10 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 4–May 16 | Aug 21–Sep 15 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 5–Jun 29 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 25–May 30 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 16–Jul 4 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 2–Jun 14 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 16–Jul 2 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 9–Aug 6 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Rhode Island: 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.
Rhode Island Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, where the first fall frost averages around October 20, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 1 – September 5, then oats from August 26 – September 30, then winter wheat from September 10 – October 25. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Rhode Island?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 9 in Rhode Island. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Rhode Island?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 4 – May 23) or in late summer (August 21 – September 20). 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 Rhode Island?
From August 1 – September 5, 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 Rhode Island?
Soybeans from May 5 – June 29; Corn from April 25 – May 30. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 25.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Rhode Island?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than Rhode Island has (about 178 days).
Know when to plant.
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More for Rhode Island Hunters
Nearby states: Connecticut, Massachusetts