When to Plant Food Plots in Virginia
In central Virginia, the average last spring frost comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around October 20. Every date on this page is set from those two. The mountains run one to two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; Tidewater, a week or two the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Winter wheat — until October 25
- Cereal rye — until November 9
Coming up: Clover (white) from March 25; Alfalfa from March 25; Chicory from April 1; Corn from April 15.
In Virginia's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened October 3, 2026 and firearm season opens November 14, 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. Virginia deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Virginia
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 Virginia
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 25 – May 13
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaMarch 25 – May 6
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 1 – May 15
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 15 – May 20
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersApril 22 – June 4
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansApril 25 – June 19
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatApril 29 – August 6
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 6 – June 24
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- LablabMay 6 – July 4
Tropical legume that thrives in southern heat and provides tons of leafy browse through summer.
- ChufaMay 6 – June 29
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Virginia Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Mar 25–May 13 | Aug 21–Sep 20 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 21–Sep 25 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 1–May 15 | — | 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 | Mar 25–May 6 | Aug 21–Sep 15 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | Apr 25–Jun 19 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 15–May 20 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 6–Jun 24 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | Apr 22–Jun 4 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Lablab | May 6–Jul 4 | — | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 6–Jun 29 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | Apr 29–Aug 6 | — | 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.
Virginia Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Virginia?
In central Virginia, 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 Virginia?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about November 9 in central Virginia. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Virginia?
White clover can be planted in spring (March 25 – May 13) 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia?
Soybeans from April 25 – June 19; Corn from April 15 – May 20. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 15.
Know when to plant.
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More for Virginia Hunters
Nearby states: Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia