How to frost seed food plots for deer

Frost Seeding Deer Food Plots

With hunting season in full swing, there are ways to attract deer and provide them with the nutrition they need for optimum growth throughout the winter and into the next hunting season. Frost seeding deer food plots is an economical way to attract these game animals to your property.

How do you frost seed food plots?

Easy steps for frost seeding deer food plots

  1. Decide on where you want the deer (large acreage, property borders, bare spots)
  2. Review the Tecomate Seed Mix options
  3. Test the soil for proper pH and nitrogen
  4. Clear debris and vegetation
  5. Lightly till or loosen the soil
  6. Fertilize and amend the soil as needed
  7. Shallow plant or broadcast seed
  8. Wait for the deer – they will come!

Frost seeding deer plots attract deer to your property, and by maintaining these deer food plots, deer will keep coming back year after year. Frost seeding food plots is best done during the fall or very early spring as an economical way to “plant” clover, alfalfa, chicory, wheat, and other nutritionally necessary food for deer. After clearing debris and residual crops, Tecomate Seed Mixes are spread over areas likely to attract deer looking for food. Then, as seasonal rain and snow cover the land, the ground expands and contracts, absorbs water, and the seed mixture basically plants itself. These hardy crops fare well in colder climates, and young plants sometimes start sprouting (and attracting deer) within three weeks.

Some farmers and deer managers opt to plant Tecomate mixes in bare spots or along property lines bordering farms. However, the manufacturer cautions that soil may need amending and fertilizing before broadcasting seed. Tecomate Seeds grow well in sunny locations that have been mostly cleared and lightly tilled. Soil pH balance is important since a pH below 5.8 will need some remediation. According to Tecomate, shallow planting (1/8 to ¼ inch) is best, whether a broadcasting system or a cultivate and drill system is used.

What is the best seed mix for frost seeding deer food plots?

Frost seeding deer food plots is an economical and easy way to spread seeds that will sprout and grow food that attracts deer and other game animals. For years, cold-weather food plots for deer have been used, but Tecomate has developed nutritionally superior seed mixtures. These mixtures combine perennial alfalfa, chicory, several clovers, and annual wheat, and other nutritious forage. Frost seeding clover food plots (red clover, white clover) with added chicory is one of many exclusive seed formulas to Tecomate. Monster Mix, RackUp Red Clover, King Ladino White Clover, and Champion Chicory offer excellent deer nutrition and have been proven to provide a faster and long-lasting winter deer food plot seed. Winter wheat, a popular annual addition to deer food plots, can be overseeded regularly to strengthen the mostly perennial deer food plot.

The best seed for frost-seeding deer food plots consists of a variety of high-protein, fast-growing legumes, clovers, bulbs, and cereal grains that provide nutrition for deer during all stages of development. Some deer gravitate toward sweet grains and bulbs, while others prefer clovers and cereal grains. Tecomate has developed a large variety of seed combinations that provide optimal nutrition for deer while considering climate, soil composition, size of herds, and ease of use.

Frost seeding deer food plots are a great way to attract deer to your property. Our most popular game animal, deer, is vital to many ecosystems throughout the country. Farmers and deer managers can help provide a healthy habitat for these animals by giving lush grazing areas to keep deer well-fed and healthy. Tecomate, a leader in seed mixes, can help. Check out their products, ideas, and suggestions for food plots, whether you have acreage or smaller areas to fill.

Healthy deer reproduce annually and fare well in most climates. We can help ensure healthy deer populations by providing cold weather food plots in and around their preferred grazing areas. In addition, Tecomate offers versatile, high-quality seeds that grow well and provide cost-efficient nutritional forage for deer and other game, like turkey, grouse, and waterfowl. A little research or a chat with your local agriculture folks can help determine which seed mixes best meet your needs. Seed mixes targeting deer provide nutrition for fawns and does, as well as extra nutrition during pregnancy, the rut, and antler-growing seasons.

Tecomate seeds are coated to withstand cold and wet weather conditions and are a mix of annual and perennial plants. Annual overseeding can strengthen the deer food plots and help the area withstand heavy grazing. According to several university studies, deer are attracted to a wide variety of forage that changes as their nutritional needs change. Therefore, a variety of clover, chicory, alfalfa, and wheat is ideal and will attract deer. And since their dietary needs differ seasonally and with their age and reproductive capacity, consider planting a mix that will meet most, if not all, of their needs.

Hunters and deer management specialists have long known that providing nutrition for deer strengthens the herd and increases the yield of usable meat. From Monster Mix to Alfa-Feast Trophy Mix, from Champion Chicory to various clover mixes, Tecomate offers it all. With minimal effort and cost, you can frost seed food plots, attracting deer whether you enjoy hunting or simply watching these magnificent animals on your property.

Read additional thoughts on the benefits of frost seeding by Mark Newell, Tecomate Wildlife Biologist


1 comment


  • Joyce Williams

    Very good!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.