When to Plant Food Plots in West Virginia
In central West Virginia, the average last spring frost comes around April 30 and the first fall frost around October 10. Every date on this page is set from those two. The high mountains run two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; the Ohio Valley, a week the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 30
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 9; Alfalfa from April 9; Chicory from April 16; Corn from April 30.
In West Virginia, archery deer season opened September 26, 2026 and firearm season opens November 23, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 26 and oats by September 20; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. West Virginia deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in West 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)July 22 – August 26
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 11 – September 10
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 11 – September 15
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 11 – September 15
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 11 – September 5
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 16 – September 20
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 21 – September 30
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 26 – October 30
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 31 – October 15
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in West 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)April 9 – May 28
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- AlfalfaApril 9 – May 21
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- ChicoryApril 16 – May 30
Deep-rooted perennial that stays green in summer heat when other forages go dormant.
- CornApril 30 – June 4
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 7 – June 19
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 10 – June 22
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 14 – July 27
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 21 – July 2
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
- ChufaMay 21 – June 22
The turkey food plot: underground tubers that turkeys scratch out from late fall through spring.
West Virginia Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 9–May 28 | Aug 11–Sep 10 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 16–May 30 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 22–Aug 26 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 31–Oct 15 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 26–Oct 30 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 16–Sep 20 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 11–Sep 15 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 21–Sep 30 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 9–May 21 | Aug 11–Sep 5 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 10–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | Apr 30–Jun 4 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 21–Jul 2 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 7–Jun 19 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Chufa | May 21–Jun 22 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 14–Jul 27 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of West Virginia: 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.
West Virginia Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in West Virginia?
In central West Virginia, where the first fall frost averages around October 10, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 22 – August 26, then oats from August 16 – September 20, then winter wheat from August 31 – October 15. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in West Virginia?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 30 in central West 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 West Virginia?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 9 – May 28) or in late summer (August 11 – September 10). 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 West Virginia?
From July 22 – August 26, 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 West Virginia?
Soybeans from May 10 – June 22; Corn from April 30 – June 4. Both need warm soil and are planted after the last spring frost, which averages around April 30.
Which food plot crops don't grow well in West Virginia?
Lablab needs a longer frost-free season than central West Virginia has (about 163 days).
Know when to plant.
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More for West Virginia Hunters
Nearby states: Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia