Poor Man’s Deer Food Plot Guide

Why a Food Plot?

As a hunter, you know that deer are creatures of habit. Give them consistent food and they’ll keep coming back. A simple food plot can:

• Keep deer on your land longer

• Provide better daytime movement

• Increase your chances of getting a shot at a mature buck

• Improve herd health through natural nutrition

And you don’t need heavy equipment or a big budget to do it! Some of the best food plots out there are done with just a sprayer, rake, and hand crank seed spreader.

What You Really Need

Here’s how to create an effective plot with minimal gear:

Bare Minimum Equipment

• Backpack sprayer (or hand sprayer)

• Garden rake or heavy-duty landscape rake

• Weed eater, machete, or brush cutter

• Seed spreader (hand crank style) – or just toss seed by hand

• Leaf blower (optional but helpful)

If you can borrow or rent a tiller or ATV, even better—but it's not required.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Location is Everything

Choose a spot that:

• Gets at least 4 hours of sunlight daily

• Is near thick bedding cover

• Has natural deer movement or sign (trails, rubs, droppings)

Look for clearings in the woods, old logging trails, or power line cuts.

2. Kill the Weeds & Grass

You need to eliminate competition.

• Spray the area with glyphosate (Roundup) about 2 weeks before planting.

• Mix at 2 oz/gallon in your backpack sprayer.

• Come back after 10–14 days and re-spray anything that’s still green.

Pro Tip: Do this in late summer or early spring for best results.

3. Break the Soil (As Much As You Can)

No tiller? No problem.

• Rake the dead vegetation off the surface.

• Use a metal rake or hoe to rough up the soil 1–2 inches deep.

• Deer plot seeds don’t need deep planting—just good soil contact.

Optional: Use a weed eater to chop up debris before raking.

4. Lime & Fertilizer (Cheap Options)

Most soils need lime, but soil tests cost money. Here's a cheat:

• Add pelletized lime—about 40 lbs per 1,000 sq ft.

• Use 13-13-13 fertilizer at 50–100 lbs per quarter acre.

Buy small bags at Tractor Supply, Walmart, or your local Ag Supply Store.

5. Choose Budget Seeds That Work

Don’t get sucked into name brands.

You can use best budget-friendly seed mixes:

• Cereal Rye (not ryegrass!) – cheap and grows anywhere

• Winter Wheat

• Crimson Clover

• Turnips or Rape (brassicas) – great for cold-season

  
  

These grow well in poor soil and don't need babying.

DIY Mix Example:

• 50 lbs Winter Wheat

• 10 lbs Crimson Clover

• 3 lbs Rape or Turnip

Covers about 1/4 to 1/2 acre for under $50.

6. Plant and Pack It Down

• Broadcast seed by hand or with a spreader.

• Don’t bury it! Just press it into the soil.

• Walk on it, use a lawn roller, or drive over it with an ATV or mower.

Moisture and seed-to-soil contact = success.

7. Timing is Key

• Fall plots: Plant late August to mid-September in most of the U.S.

• Spring plots: Late March to May for clover and warm-season annuals.

Watch the forecast—plant just before rain if possible.

Extra Tips for Hunters

• Keep It Hidden

The smaller and more secluded, the better. Bucks love low-pressure zones!

• Trail Cameras

Set up a cheap trail cam to monitor activity. It’ll help pattern movement and give an inventory of your deer herd.

• Supplement Wisely

If allowed in your state, spread a little corn, minerals, or mineral lick near your plot to speed up deer discovery.

• Minimal Human Scent

Limit visits. Only check it during mid-day or rain to reduce your scent.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need thousands of dollars or a tractor to make a food plot work. What you need is hustle, timing, and a little know-how. This kind of DIY plot isn’t just cheap—it’s deadly effective when paired with smart stand placement and low-pressure hunting.

Have a great season!