When to Plant Food Plots in Tennessee
In Middle Tennessee, the average last spring frost comes around April 5 and the first fall frost around October 25. Every date on this page is set from those two. East Tennessee's mountains run one to two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; West Tennessee, a few days the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 30
- Cereal rye — until November 14
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 15; Alfalfa from March 15; Chicory from March 22; Corn from April 5.
In Tennessee's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 26, 2026 and firearm season opens November 21, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by September 10 and oats by October 5; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Tennessee deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Tennessee
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 6 – September 10
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 26 – September 25
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 26 – September 30
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- ChicoryAugust 26 – September 15
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 26 – September 30
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 26 – September 20
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 31 – October 5
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassSeptember 5 – October 15
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeSeptember 10 – November 14
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatSeptember 15 – October 30
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Tennessee
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 15 – May 3
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 15 – April 26
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryMarch 22 – May 5
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 5 – May 10
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 12 – May 25
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 15 – June 9
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatApril 19 – August 11
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)April 26 – June 14
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabApril 26 – June 24
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaApril 26 – June 19
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Tennessee Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 15–May 3 | Aug 26–Sep 25 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Mar 22–May 5 | Aug 26–Sep 15 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Aug 6–Sep 10 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Sep 15–Oct 30 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Sep 10–Nov 14 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 31–Oct 5 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 26–Sep 30 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Sep 5–Oct 15 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Mar 15–Apr 26 | Aug 26–Sep 20 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 15–Jun 9 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 5–May 10 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | Apr 26–Jun 14 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 12–May 25 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | Apr 26–Jun 24 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | Apr 26–Jun 19 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Apr 19–Aug 11 | — | 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.
Tennessee Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Tennessee?
In Middle Tennessee, where the first fall frost averages around October 25, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from August 6 – September 10, then oats from August 31 – October 5, then winter wheat from September 15 – October 30. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Tennessee?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 14 in Middle Tennessee. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Tennessee?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 15 – May 3) or in late summer (August 26 – September 25). 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 Tennessee?
From August 6 – September 10, 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 Tennessee?
Soybeans from April 15 – June 9; Corn from April 5 – May 10. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 5.
Know when to plant.
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More for Tennessee Hunters
Nearby states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia