When to Plant Food Plots in South Carolina
In the Midlands, the average last spring frost comes around March 25 and the first fall frost around November 5. Every date on this page is set from those two. The Upstate runs about a week later in spring and earlier in fall; the Lowcountry, two weeks the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until November 10
- Cereal rye — until November 25
- Oats — until October 16
- Annual ryegrass — until October 26
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 4; Alfalfa from March 4; Chicory from March 11; Corn from March 25.
In South Carolina's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened August 15, 2026 and firearm season opened September 1, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 21 and oats by October 16; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. South Carolina deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in South 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 17 – September 21
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)September 6 – October 6
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)September 6 – October 11
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicorySeptember 6 – September 26
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasSeptember 6 – October 11
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaSeptember 6 – October 1
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsSeptember 11 – October 16
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassSeptember 16 – October 26
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 21 – November 25
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 26 – November 10
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in South 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 4 – April 22
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 4 – April 15
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryMarch 11 – April 24
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMarch 25 – April 29
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 1 – May 14
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- BuckwheatApril 8 – August 22
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- SoybeansApril 15 – May 29
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- Grain sorghum (milo)April 15 – June 3
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabApril 15 – June 13
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaApril 15 – June 8
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
South Carolina Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 4–Apr 22 | Sep 6–Oct 6 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Sep 6–Oct 11 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Mar 11–Apr 24 | Sep 6–Sep 26 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 17–Sep 21 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 26–Nov 10 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 21–Nov 25 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Sep 11–Oct 16 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Sep 6–Oct 11 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Sep 16–Oct 26 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 4–Apr 15 | Sep 6–Oct 1 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 15–May 29 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Mar 25–Apr 29 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | Apr 15–Jun 3 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 1–May 14 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | Apr 15–Jun 13 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | Apr 15–Jun 8 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Apr 8–Aug 22 | — | 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.
South Carolina Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in South Carolina?
In the Midlands, where the first fall frost averages around November 5, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 17 – September 21, then oats from September 11 – October 16, then winter wheat from September 26 – November 10. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in South Carolina?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 25 in the Midlands. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in South Carolina?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 4 – April 22) or in late summer (September 6 – October 6). 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 South Carolina?
From August 17 – September 21, 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 South Carolina?
Soybeans from April 15 – May 29; Corn from March 25 – April 29. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around March 25.
Know when to plant.
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More for South Carolina Hunters
Nearby states: Georgia, North Carolina