Best Crops to Plant for a Deer Food Plot
A well-planned deer food plot supports deer health, provides a reliable food source, and can even improve your hunting season. But the key to a thriving food plot starts before you plant the first seed. Proper planning, land clearing, and land preparation are crucial to your food plot’s success.
For land clearing assistance, contact Wilderness Land Clearing today.
Why Land Preparation Matters
Healthy, productive plots require more than scattered seed. To grow crops that truly flourish, the ground needs to be cleared of competing vegetation, leveled for even planting, and enriched with nutrients that support long-term growth. Brush, invasive plants, and old stumps can rob your crops of sunlight, space, and moisture.
Good preparation also helps prevent weeds from taking over, improves water drainage, and ensures your chosen seeds have direct contact with the soil for better germination. That’s why proper site work is just as important as seed selection.
This is where Wilderness Land Clearing makes the difference. We specialize in removing obstacles, mulching on-site to return organic matter to the soil, and creating open, workable areas that are ready for planting. Our process saves you time, maximizes soil health, and sets the stage for a food plot that produces results season after season.
Best Crops for Minnesota Deer Food Plots
1. Clover
Clover is one of the most popular and dependable deer food plot crops. It grows quickly in spring and provides high-protein forage throughout summer. As a perennial, it can last up to five years with proper care, offering consistent nutrition without yearly replanting. Its lush, dense growth also helps suppress weeds naturally.
2. Alfalfa
Alfalfa offers exceptional protein content, making it ideal for building antler mass in bucks and supporting lactating does. It thrives in well-drained soils and can produce multiple cuttings each year. Although it requires more maintenance than clover, it rewards landowners with a steady supply of high-quality forage from late spring into early fall.
3. Brassicas
This group includes turnips, radishes, and rapeseed, all of which are attractive to deer in late summer and fall. Brassicas are hardy, easy to grow, and highly palatable once frost converts their starches into sugars. In addition to leafy tops, deer often dig up and eat the nutrient-rich roots, making them a two-in-one food source.
4. Winter Wheat and Rye
These cereal grains are excellent for providing green forage during the cooler months. They germinate quickly, can grow in less-than-ideal soils, and offer late fall and early winter nutrition when other food sources are scarce. They’re also effective for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in your food plot.
5. Soybeans
Soybeans are a dual-purpose crop for deer. In summer, deer feed heavily on the protein-rich leaves, and in winter, they return to eat the leftover pods. Soybeans can draw deer throughout the growing season and beyond, making them a reliable choice for year-round attraction.
Planting Tips for Success
Use these quick tips to ensure success when planting your crops:
- Soil Testing: Determine pH and nutrient needs before planting.
- Seasonal Timing: Choose crops based on when you want peak deer activity.
- Diverse Mixes: Plant a blend of crops to ensure year-round food availability.
Improve Your Deer Season with Wilderness Land Clearing
Your deer season success starts months before you set foot in the field. A thriving food plot depends on open, healthy ground, and that’s precisely what Wilderness Land Clearing delivers. We handle the hard work of removing trees, brush, and invasive plants, then mulch on-site to return valuable nutrients to your soil. With a clean, level plot ready for planting, your crops will establish faster, grow stronger, and keep deer coming back throughout the season. By investing in professional land preparation now, you set yourself up for a more productive, rewarding deer season year after year.
Not sure where to start? We’ll walk the land with you, assess the area, and recommend the most effective preparation strategy for your property. Contact Wilderness Land Clearing & Mulching to schedule a free estimate or learn more about our expert land clearing services in Central Minnesota.
How Wilderness Land Clearing Can Help
Our tree removal service is designed to address urgent situations like oak wilt. Using advanced equipment such as the Tree-MEK, we can safely remove infected trees without damaging surrounding property. We also offer stump grinding and site cleanup to ensure your land is ready for healthy regrowth.
We operate across Minnesota, with a strong presence in the Brainerd Lakes Area and Twin Cities metro. Whether it’s a single infected tree or a cluster at risk, our team works quickly and efficiently to protect your landscape.
Not sure if your oak is infected? We’ll walk the land with you, assess the situation, and recommend the safest, most effective course of action. Contact Wilderness Land Clearing & Mulching to schedule a free estimate or learn more about our tree removal services in Central Minnesota.
Wilderness Land Clearing
Wilderness Land Clearing & Mulching