When to Plant Food Plots in South Dakota
In eastern South Dakota, the average last spring frost comes around May 10 and the first fall frost around September 25. Every date on this page is set from those two. The Black Hills run later in spring and earlier in fall.
Nothing to Plant Right Now
South Dakota is between planting windows.
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 19; Alfalfa from April 19; Chicory from April 26; Corn from May 10.
In South Dakota's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 1, 2026 and firearm season opens November 1, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 11 and oats by September 5; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. South Dakota deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in South 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 7 – August 11
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)July 27 – August 26
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)July 27 – August 31
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasJuly 27 – August 31
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaJuly 27 – August 21
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 1 – September 5
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 6 – September 15
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 11 – October 15
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 16 – September 30
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in South 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 19 – June 7
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 19 – May 31
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 26 – June 9
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMay 10 – May 28
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 17 – June 17
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 20 – June 7
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 24 – July 12
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 31 – June 17
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
South Dakota Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 19–Jun 7 | Jul 27–Aug 26 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Jul 27–Aug 31 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 26–Jun 9 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 7–Aug 11 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 16–Sep 30 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 11–Oct 15 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 1–Sep 5 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Jul 27–Aug 31 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 6–Sep 15 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 19–May 31 | Jul 27–Aug 21 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 20–Jun 7 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | May 10–May 28 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 31–Jun 17 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 17–Jun 17 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 24–Jul 12 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of South Dakota: 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.
South Dakota Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in South Dakota?
In eastern South Dakota, where the first fall frost averages around September 25, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 7 – August 11, then oats from August 1 – September 5, then winter wheat from August 16 – September 30. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in South Dakota?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 15 in eastern South 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 South Dakota?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 19 – June 7) or in late summer (July 27 – August 26). 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 Dakota?
From July 7 – August 11, 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 Dakota?
Soybeans from May 20 – June 7; Corn from May 10 – May 28. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around May 10.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in South Dakota?
Lablab and Chufa need a longer frost-free season than eastern South Dakota has (about 138 days).
Know when to plant.
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More for South Dakota Hunters
Nearby states: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming