Why Throw-and-Grow Plots Are So Popular

For hunters and land managers, establishing a lush, attractive food plot can be one of the most rewarding steps toward improving deer habitat. Throw and grow clover is a popular choice because not everyone has access to heavy equipment, extensive acreage, or weeks of preparation time. That’s where throw-and-grow food plots—also called no-till deer plots—come in.

The concept is simple: scatter seed (“throw”) on the soil surface, lightly cover or press it in, and let nature take over (“grow”). With the right seed mix and minimal preparation, you can produce green forage in remote clearings, logging roads, or small wood openings—places where hauling in a tractor simply isn’t possible.

But as many hunters have discovered, results can vary. Some end up with a lush green carpet that deer hammer all season, while others see only sparse ryegrass that deer ignore. This guide—grounded in wildlife biology and years of hunting experience—will show you how to choose the best seed mix, prepare your site properly, time your planting, and maintain your plot for maximum deer attraction.

How Throw-and-Grow Works

Throw-and-grow plots are designed to minimize soil disturbance. Unlike traditional plots that require disking, plowing, and deep tillage, these plots depend on:

  1. Seed broadcasting – You scatter seed directly on top of the soil.
  2. Minimal or no tillage – You might rake lightly, mow existing vegetation, or spray herbicide before planting.
  3. Moisture reliance – Seeds germinate after rainfall without the need for irrigation.

Best applications:

  • Remote hunting spots
  • Narrow logging roads
  • Hidden “kill plots” near bedding areas
  • Steep or rocky sites where equipment can’t reach

Benefits of Throw-and-Grow Plots

1. Low Equipment Requirement

All you need is seed, a hand spreader (optional), and sometimes a rake or backpack sprayer. No tractor or ATV needed.

2. Quick Establishment

With the right mix, you can have visible growth in 5–10 days after rain.

3. Flexible Planting Locations

These plots thrive in places traditional food plots can’t—shaded woods edges, logging trails, and small clearings.

4. Habitat Diversity

Even small patches provide additional forage and can serve as staging areas for deer before they move to larger fields.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

While the concept is appealing, not all throw-and-grow plots deliver results. Common issues include:

Using the Wrong Seed

Many inexpensive commercial “throw and grow” bags are dominated by annual ryegrass, which germinates fast but often provides limited nutritional value and is less attractive to deer than clover, brassicas, or cereal grains.

Solution: Choose a diverse seed blend containing high-protein forages like clover, winter peas, chicory, brassicas, and cereal rye.

Planting in Poor Conditions

Scattering throw and grow clover into thick vegetation or dry, compacted soil drastically reduces germination.

Solution: Clear or kill existing vegetation, expose soil, and plant before a rain.

Unrealistic Expectations

Throw-and-grow plots are typically short-term attractants. Deer can wipe them out in a few weeks if plot size is small and deer density is high.

Solution: Use them as part of a broader habitat strategy, and be prepared to re-seed or rotate plantings.

Choosing the Best Plants for Throw-and-Grow

High-Performing Throw-and-Grow Species

Plant TypeWhy It WorksPlanting Notes
Cereal Rye / Winter Wheat / OatsFast germination, cold tolerance, great early attractionBest for fall planting
Clover (White, Ladino, Crimson)High protein (20–30%), regrows after grazing, long seasonWorks spring or fall
Brassicas (Rape, Turnips, Radish, Kale)Sweet after frost, high energyPlant late summer–early fall
ChicoryDeep roots, drought resistantMix with clover for longevity
Winter PeasHighly palatable, high proteinCombine with cereals for structure

Custom DIY Blend (Fall)

  • 40% Winter Rye
  • 25% Winter Wheat
  • 15% Crimson Clover
  • 10% Radish
  • 10% Turnip

Custom DIY Blend (Spring)

  • 50% White Clover
  • 25% Annual Clover
  • 15% Chicory
  • 10% Oats

Commercial Options Worth Considering

  • Evolved Habitats Throw & Gro X-treme
  • Antler King No-Plow
  • Whitetail Institute Secret Spot
  • Pennington Rackmaster No-Plow

Pro Tip: Always check the seed tag. Avoid mixes where ryegrass is the primary ingredient unless your main goal is erosion control.

Site Preparation: The Key to Success

Even though throw-and-grow is marketed as “just toss it out,” a little prep dramatically improves results.

Step 1: Pick Your Location

Look for:

  • At least 3–4 hours of sunlight daily
  • Well-drained soil
  • Natural deer travel corridors

Step 2: Kill Existing Vegetation

  • Spray glyphosate (Roundup) 2 weeks before planting
  • Or mow very low, then rake away debris

Step 3: Expose Soil

  • Use a steel rake or leaf blower to remove debris and create soil contact
  • Even minimal disturbance helps seeds settle into the top ¼ inch of soil

A basic soil test can guide lime/fertilizer needs. Most throw-and-grow mixes tolerate poor soils, but lime may still help.

Planting Guide: Timing and Technique

When to Plant

RegionSpring Planting WindowFall Planting Window
Northern U.S.April–MayAug–early Sept
Midwestern U.S.March–MayAug–Sept
Southern U.S.Feb–AprSept–Oct