When to Plant Food Plots in Wisconsin
In central Wisconsin, the average last spring frost comes around May 10 and the first fall frost around September 30. Every date on this page is set from those two. Northern Wisconsin runs one to two weeks later in spring and earlier in fall; the southeast, a week the other way.
In the Planting Window Now
- Cereal rye — until October 20
Coming up: Clover (white) from April 19; Alfalfa from April 19; Chicory from April 26; Corn from May 10.
In Wisconsin's earliest-opening zone, archery deer season opened September 12, 2026 and firearm season opens November 21, 2026. To have fall plots growing through deer season, plant brassicas by August 16 and oats by September 10; wheat and cereal rye planted later carry a plot into the late season. Wisconsin deer season dates
Fall Food Plots in Wisconsin
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 12 – August 16
Late-season powerhouse that deer hammer after the first hard frost sweetens the bulbs.
- Clover (white)August 1 – August 31
A perennial favorite that provides year-round forage and thrives under heavy deer browse.
- Clover (crimson)August 1 – September 5
Fast-establishing annual clover that delivers high-protein forage through late fall and winter.
- Austrian winter peasAugust 1 – September 5
A cool-season legume deer seek out the moment it comes up. Plant it in a blend with a grain that shields it.
- AlfalfaAugust 1 – August 26
Protein-rich perennial legume that produces multiple cuttings and attracts deer all season long.
- OatsAugust 6 – September 10
Quick-growing cool-season grain that deer prefer early in the fall before it winter-kills.
- Annual ryegrassAugust 11 – September 20
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that fills in plots quickly and holds deer through late winter.
- Cereal ryeAugust 16 – October 20
The hardiest fall grain: comes up in cold soil, grows on poor ground, and stays green after wheat and oats quit.
- Winter wheatAugust 21 – October 5
Hardy cereal grain that provides green forage through winter and excellent early spring attraction.
Spring & Summer Food Plots in Wisconsin
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 – June 2
Standing grain that provides late-season food and cover, keeping deer on your property through winter.
- SunflowersMay 17 – June 22
The classic dove field crop. Deer browse the young plants, and doves, quail and turkeys feed on the seed.
- SoybeansMay 20 – June 12
High-protein warm-season legume that feeds deer from summer browse through fall bean pods.
- BuckwheatMay 24 – July 17
Fast summer cover crop that matures in 10–12 weeks, smothers weeds, and feeds deer, turkeys and doves.
- Grain sorghum (milo)May 31 – June 22
Heat- and drought-tolerant grain that feeds deer, turkeys, doves and quail from late summer through winter.
Wisconsin Food Plot Planting Calendar
| Crop | Spring / summer | Fall | Seed rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover (white) | Apr 19–Jun 7 | Aug 1–Aug 31 | 8 lbs/acre |
| Clover (crimson) | — | Aug 1–Sep 5 | 20 lbs/acre |
| Chicory | Apr 26–Jun 9 | — | 5 lbs/acre |
| Brassicas (turnips/radishes) | — | Jul 12–Aug 16 | 5 lbs/acre |
| Winter wheat | — | Aug 21–Oct 5 | 120 lbs/acre |
| Cereal rye | — | Aug 16–Oct 20 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Oats | — | Aug 6–Sep 10 | 100 lbs/acre |
| Austrian winter peas | — | Aug 1–Sep 5 | 60 lbs/acre |
| Annual ryegrass | — | Aug 11–Sep 20 | 30 lbs/acre |
| Alfalfa | Apr 19–May 31 | Aug 1–Aug 26 | 15 lbs/acre |
| Soybeans | May 20–Jun 12 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
| Corn | May 10–Jun 2 | — | 25 lbs/acre |
| Grain sorghum (milo) | May 31–Jun 22 | — | 15 lbs/acre |
| Sunflowers | May 17–Jun 22 | — | 10 lbs/acre |
| Buckwheat | May 24–Jul 17 | — | 50 lbs/acre |
Not recommended in most of Wisconsin: 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.
Wisconsin Food Plot Questions
When should I plant a fall food plot in Wisconsin?
In central Wisconsin, where the first fall frost averages around September 30, fall planting starts with brassicas (turnips and radishes) from July 12 – August 16, then oats from August 6 – September 10, then winter wheat from August 21 – October 5. Crops that need the longest growing time go in first.
When is it too late to plant a food plot in Wisconsin?
For fall plots, cereal rye is the last crop worth planting, until about October 20 in central Wisconsin. After that, seed rarely establishes before cold weather. Brassicas, clover and oats need to be in weeks earlier.
When should I plant clover in Wisconsin?
White clover can be planted in spring (April 19 – June 7) or in late summer (August 1 – August 31). 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 Wisconsin?
From July 12 – August 16, 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 Wisconsin?
Soybeans from May 20 – June 12; Corn from May 10 – June 2. 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 Wisconsin?
Lablab and Chufa need a longer frost-free season than central Wisconsin has (about 143 days).
Know when to plant.
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