How to Make a Successful Food Plot
A Step-by-Step Guide by Salt River Seed Co.
Creating a thriving food plot isn’t just about throwing down seed — it’s about knowing your land, preparing the soil, choosing the right blend, and following through. Whether you’re planting a small food plot or managing several acres, here’s what it takes to build a plot that pulls deer and produces results.
1.
Pick the Right Location
A good food plot starts with the right spot. Look for:
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Areas deer already travel through
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Natural openings, field edges, or trails
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Easy access for planting and maintenance
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Good sunlight (at least 4–6 hours per day)
Avoid low-lying, swampy areas that stay wet or shady patches under a thick canopy.
2.
Test Your Soil!
This is one of the most important — and most skipped — steps.
Use a basic soil test kit to measure pH and nutrient levels. Most food plot plants grow best in a pH range of 6.0–7.0. If your soil is too acidic, apply lime as needed. Fertilizer recommendations will depend on your test results.
3.
Choose the Right Blend
Select a seed mix that matches:
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Your soil type (sandy, loamy, clay, etc.)
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The season (spring, summer, fall)
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Your goals (attracting and feeding deer, improving nutrition, making more cover)
Salt River Seed Co. blends are designed for different plot styles and seasons — from fast-growing throw-and-go mixes to full-season perennial blends.
4.
Prep the Soil Right
Once you’ve picked your spot and tested the soil:
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Clear the area of grass, weeds, and debris.
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Spray with herbicide (like glyphosate) to kill existing vegetation. Wait 7–10 days.
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Till or disc the plot (if possible) to loosen the top few inches of soil.
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Rake or culti-pack to smooth the seedbed before planting.
No-till or minimal equipment? No problem. We offer no-fuss blends that can grow with just seed-to-soil contact.
5.
Plant at the Right Time
Each seed has an ideal planting window. For example:
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Cool-season blends (like clover, chicory, brassicas): late summer or early fall
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Warm-season blends (like soybeans, cowpeas): late spring to early summer
6.
Fertilize (Smartly)
Use fertilizer based on your soil test. If you’re unsure:
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A balanced starter fertilizer like 13-13-13 or 10-10-10 works for most plots.
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Apply before or after seeding, depending on the blend.
7.
Time It With Rain
Try to plant just before a steady rainfall. This helps your seed germinate quickly and evenly, especially for blends that require strong soil contact. Avoid planting right before a heavy downpour, which can wash seed away or compact the soil.
8.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
After planting, monitor your plot regularly:
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Reapply fertilizer if needed
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Keep weeds under control (mowing clover or spraying with selective herbicides)
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Watch for browsing pressure and regrowth
Some blends may need light mowing during the growing season to stay healthy and productive.
9.
Let It Develop Naturally
Don’t expect instant results. The best food plots build over time. Deer need to discover and trust the area, and some plants (like clovers and perennials) hit their stride in the second season. Consistency and care are key.
10.
Rotate and Replant
Every few seasons, rotate your blends to avoid soil exhaustion and plant fatigue. You might follow a fall brassica plot with a spring clover mix, or add soil builders like oats or rye to keep the ground productive.
Final Thoughts from Salt River Seed Co.
Building a great food plot doesn’t have to be complicated — it just takes planning, preparation, and the right blend for your land. At Salt River Seed Co., we’ve designed our seed mixes to perform in real-world conditions, whether you’re planting a small backwoods clearing or managing a larger plot.
Start with good seed, feed the soil, stay consistent — and the results will follow.
