When to Plant Food Plots in Washington
In eastern Washington, the average last spring frost comes around May 5 and the first fall frost around October 5. Every date on this page is set from those two. Western Washington's lowlands frost about a month less on each end.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 25
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 14; Alfalfa from April 14; Chicory from April 21; Corn from May 5.
In Washington's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 1, 2026 and firearm season opens October 17, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 21 and oats by September 15; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Washington deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Washington
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 17 – August 21
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 6 – September 5
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 6 – September 10
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 6 – September 10
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 6 – August 31
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 11 – September 15
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 16 – September 25
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 21 – October 25
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 26 – October 10
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Washington
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 14 – June 2
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 14 – May 26
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 21 – June 4
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornMay 5 – June 7
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 12 – June 24
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 15 – June 17
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 19 – July 22
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 26 – June 27
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 26 – June 17
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
Washington Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 14–Jun 2 | Aug 6–Sep 5 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 6–Sep 10 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 21–Jun 4 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 17–Aug 21 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 26–Oct 10 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 21–Oct 25 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 6–Sep 10 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 16–Sep 25 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 14–May 26 | Aug 6–Aug 31 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 15–Jun 17 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | May 5–Jun 7 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 26–Jun 27 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 12–Jun 24 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 26–Jun 17 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 19–Jul 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Washington: 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.
Washington Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Washington?
In eastern Washington, where the first fall frost averages around October 5, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 17 – August 21, then oats from August 11 – September 15, then winter wheat from August 26 – October 10. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Washington?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 25 in eastern Washington. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Washington?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 14 – June 2) or in late summer (August 6 – September 5). 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 Washington?
From July 17 – August 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 Washington?
Soybeans from May 15 – June 17; Corn from May 5 – June 7. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around May 5.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in Washington?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than eastern Washington has (about 153 days).
Know when to plant.
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