Why Brassicas Are the Gold Standard for Deer Food Plots

  • Exceptional nutrition: Brassicas (e.g. radish, turnip, rape, kale) deliver 25–35% crude protein with high digestibility—perfect for fueling deer body and antler growth. Using brassica food plot seed can greatly enhance the nutritional benefits of your plot.
  • High palatability: Deer are drawn to brassicas after frost, when starches convert to natural sugars. This makes them irresistible even late in the season .
  • Massive yield: Top blends like BioLogic’s Maximum can produce 10–15 tons per acre, easily outpacing cereal grains that deliver just 1 ton/acre .
  • Soil improvement: Taproots like daikon radish break up compaction and enhance drainage, while suppressing weeds with aggressive early growth .

Planting Windows: Maximize Seasonal Value

RegionIdeal Planting WindowEnd‑Season Attraction Range
Northern U.S./CanadaMid‑July to early AugustLate August → early frost
Mid‑North StatesLate July‑AugustMid October onward
Deep SouthSeptember → early OctoberNovember to December
  • Brassicas thrive when planted 4–7 weeks before first frost for optimal biomass development .
  • Plant too early, and greens may become over-mature and less tasty; too late, and plantings might fail entirely .

Choose the Right Blend: Extend Attractiveness and Nutrition

The key to a long-lasting and enticing brassica plot is diversity and staggered maturity:

  1. Radishes (e.g., daikon or Deer Radish)
    ‑ Whitetails attack radish tops early, then consume entire tubers. Ideal for late August (north) to October (south) attraction .
  2. Turnips & Sugar Beets
    ‑ These bulbs deliver high sucrose content and attract deer in November–December when greens fade. Look for blends like Winter Bulbs & Sugar Beets .
  3. Leafy Brassicas (rape, canola, kale)
    ‑ Thrive post-frost and provide late-season winter nutrition especially in blends like BioLogic Maximum, offering sustained green forage deep into winter .

Best-in-Class Brassica Seed Mixes

Here are top-reviewed options hunters rave about:

Seed BlendNotable Attributes
BioLogic Maximum100% NZ brassicas, staggered maturity for sustained attraction‑nutrition at 10–15 tons/acre .
BioLogic Deer RadishDominated by radish varieties, high tuber mass, immediate attraction as deer learn the plot .
BioLogic Winter Bulbs & Sugar BeetsBlends bulbs and greens, timed for late-season deer use (Nov–Dec) .
HIT LIST SEED Brassica MixIncludes daikon, turnips, forage brassica: fast germination, 3+ tons/acre, protein‑rich for antler growth .
Whitetail Institute Winter‑Greens / Tall Tine TubersProven commercial brassicas, excellent frost resilience, deep deer attraction even under snow .

Planting & Agronomic Best Practices

Soil & Fertility

  • Soil test essential: Aim for pH 6.2–7.0. Acidic soils reduce nutrient uptake and taste .
  • Use lime, as needed, well ahead of planting—lime acts slowly but is crucial .
  • Apply balanced fertilizer (e.g. 20‑20‑20) at planting, then side-dress with nitrogen (e.g. 46‑0‑0) later for lush growth .

Seeding Rate & Distribution

  • Use 5–10 lbs/acre for brassica food plot seeds (tiny in size). Excessive seeding leads to competition, stunting bulb size or killing off plants .
  • Evenly broadcast seed with calibrated spreader; aim for two overlapping passes in perpendicular directions .

Seedbed Prep & Germination

  • Till soil 4–6 inches deep; rake to smooth surface.
  • After planting, pack the seedbed to improve soil contact and moisture retention .
  • Keep weeds suppressed early to reduce competition and maximize brassica vigor .

Managing Attraction & Plot Longevity

  • Whitetail deer often need an acclimation period: after a few years of exposure, herd members will feed on brassicas sooner and more aggressively each season .
  • To maintain interest throughout the season:
    • Over-seed or replant small sections mid-season, especially bulb varieties.
    • Include staggered-maturity varieties to ensure a steady buffet as early greens fade and bulbs mature.
  • Combine brassicas with cereal grains and legumes to create a multi-phase forage strategy: legumes → grains → brassicas .

Brassica Food Plot Blueprint

  • Plant mid‑July to early October (region‑dependent), ~4–7 weeks before frost.
  • Use diverse blends: radish for early draw, turnips/beets for mid‑late season, leafy brassicas for sustained winter feed.
  • Manage soil pH, fertilize correctly, and seed at low rates with even distribution.
  • Optimize soil contact and suppress weeds, then monitor plot consumption—bridge gaps via supplemental plantings as needed.
  • Expect rapid deer attraction, massive yield, and measurable soil improvement over time.