Proven Summer Food Plot Strategy for Deer & Turkeys

VIDEO SUMMARY

If you’re looking to improve your land for wildlife while also building healthier soil, summer food plots can play a critical role. In this episode of the SWAPA Land Stewardship Series, SWAPA Land Agent Brad Farris shares his proven approach to establishing productive summer plots that benefit deer, turkeys, and overall land health.

After returning from the National Wild Turkey Federation convention, Brad noticed one question kept coming up from landowners and hunters:

“What should we plant for summertime food plots?”

In this video, Brad walks through the exact strategy he uses on his own property to create a reliable summer food source for wildlife while also improving soil structure and diversity.

A Two-Part Summer Food Plot Program

Brad’s approach focuses on timing, diversity, and soil health. Instead of relying on a single crop, he uses a layered planting schedule designed to maximize nutrition for wildlife while protecting and improving the soil.

Joint Vetch and Warm Season Mix

The first step begins in early May with joint vetch, a highly attractive forage that performs well in partially shaded plots and woodland edges.

Brad drills joint vetch at approximately 10 pounds per acre, typically during the first week of May. Because joint vetch can be slow to establish and sensitive to planting depth, it’s important to plant it shallow and give it time to get established.

Later in May or early June, he follows up with Green Clover’s Summer Release Mix that may include:

• Cowpeas

• Soybeans

• Mung Beans

• Grain Sorghum

• Milo

• Sunflower

• Lablab

• Buckwheat

This diverse blend creates an abundant summer food source for deer and turkeys while also providing valuable soil-building benefits.

Why Plant Diversity Matters

Planting a diverse mix of species does more than simply attract wildlife. It also helps:

• Improve soil structure

• Increase organic matter

• Promote beneficial microbial activity

• Provide varied forage throughout the growing season

These benefits support the long-term productivity of your land and align with the land stewardship philosophy that drives everything at SWAPA Land.

Clover: The Fall Foundation for Year-Round Attraction

The second part of Brad’s program actually begins the fall before summer.

In the Southeast, clover must be planted in the fall to develop a strong root system before summer heat arrives. Brad establishes woodland clover plots by drilling wheat and oats and then broadcasting Durana clover at roughly 10–12 pounds per acre.

These shaded clover plots often provide nearly 12 months of attraction, drawing both deer and turkeys throughout the year.

Trail camera footage frequently confirms what many landowners already know — when properly established, clover plots can become some of the most consistent wildlife hotspots on a property.

The Most Important Rule: Don’t Plant Too Deep

One of the biggest mistakes landowners make when planting food plots is seeding too deep.

Both joint vetch and clover perform best when planted shallow. If they are buried too deep in the soil, germination rates drop dramatically and the stand can fail before it even gets started.

As Brad explains, it’s always better to err on the side of shallow planting rather than risking seeds being placed too deep.