August Food Plot Guide: What to Plant Now for Peak Whitetail Season
August Food Plot Guide: What to Plant Now for Peak Whitetail Season
August marks one of the most critical windows in a hunter’s year. While other hunters are still dreaming about opening day, smart hunters are out there with seed spreaders, creating the foundation for their most successful season yet. The choices you make in your deer food plots this month will directly determine where those mature bucks show up come October and November.
Late summer food plot planting isn’t just about throwing deer food plot seeds on the ground and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding what whitetails need during hunting season and positioning yourself to provide exactly that when it matters most.
📅 AUGUST FOOD PLOT PLANTING CALENDAR
Week 1: Northern states – Brassicas & Winter Peas
Week 2: Midwest – All crops optimal
Week 3: Southern states – Begin planting
Week 4: Last chance for most crops
Why August is Prime Time for Food Plots
There’s a reason experienced hunters swear by August plantings for hunting season preparation. Cool-season crops planted now will hit their nutritional peak right when deer need them most – during the stress of breeding season and the approach of winter.
Unlike spring plantings that can burn out in summer heat, August fall hunting food plots benefit from cooler nights and morning dew. These crops establish strong root systems before winter and provide the high-energy forage that bucks and does crave during hunting season.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Your plots will be lush and attractive right when deer are establishing their fall patterns, giving you the ultimate advantage for stand placement and hunting success.
Top August Food Plot Planting Options
Brassicas: The Heavy Hitters
Purple Top Turnips The gold standard of deer food plots, purple top turnips are virtually foolproof. Plant them at 3-5 pounds per acre, and you’ll have deer attractant plants that only get better after the first frost. The leaves provide immediate forage, while the bulbs store energy for late-season hunting. For a proven turnip blend that includes other complementary crops, check out the Big Tine 4 lb. Buck Brunch Food Plot Mix at Academy Sports, which combines turnips with forage wheat and crimson clover.
Daikon Radishes Don’t let the name fool you – these aren’t your garden-variety radishes. Daikon radishes can produce massive tonnage and withstand incredible browsing pressure. They’re particularly effective in areas with high deer density where other crops might get eaten to the ground. The Evolved Harvest Throw & Gro X-Treme with Radish Food Plot offers a no-till option that’s perfect for quick establishment.
Kale Possibly the most underrated crop in deer hunting, kale is extremely cold hardy and provides consistent forage throughout the season. Mix it with other brassicas at 1-2 pounds per acre for a diverse plot that keeps deer coming back.
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Rape/Canola High in energy and extremely palatable after frost, rape provides excellent late-season nutrition. It’s particularly effective when mixed with turnips and radishes for a complete brassica blend.
Learn more about brassica strategies from Whitetail Habitat Solutions and get detailed planting information from Mossy Oak Gamekeeper’s brassica guide.
High-Protein Legumes
Winter Peas When properly fertilized, winter peas can provide up to 35% protein – exactly what deer need for antler development and body condition. In northern states, plant by late August. Southern hunters can wait until early September. For comprehensive winter pea planting guidance, check out Realtree’s detailed planting guide.
Crimson Clover For hunters thinking long-term, crimson clover offers perennial nutrition that keeps producing year after year. It’s particularly effective when over-seeded with annual grains that provide immediate attraction while the clover establishes.
Quick-Establishing Grains
Oats Nothing beats oats for fast germination and immediate deer attraction. You’ll often see deer feeding within two weeks of planting. Use oats as a nurse crop with slower-establishing species or plant them alone for quick results. The Whitetail Institute Imperial Pure Attraction Food Plot Seed features Whitetail Oats combined with attractive brassicas for the best of both worlds.
Winter Wheat Reliable and consistent, winter wheat provides both forage and cover. It’s particularly valuable in areas where deer need security cover near feeding areas.
Cereal Rye The ultimate soil improver, cereal rye is extremely hardy and provides excellent erosion control. It’s perfect for marginal soils and areas where you want to improve the ground for future plantings.
For a comprehensive mix that includes multiple crop types, consider the Evolved Habitats 7 Card Stud 10 lb. Deer Attractant, which contains triticale, oats, winter peas, clover, chicory, and turnips – covering most of the crops mentioned in this guide.
📊 SEEDING RATES CHEAT SHEET
• Brassica mixes: 4-6 lbs/acre
• Winter peas: 20-30 lbs/acre
• Oats: 60-90 lbs/acre
• Winter wheat: 90-120 lbs/acre
• Cereal rye: 90-120 lbs/acre
