Planting a food plot can be a major benefit to your property, but planting the plot is only part of the equation. You should also think about when you’re planting the seeds or offering them in your feeders. Keeping up your plot during the off season will help you when hunting season opens.

Spring and Summer

Perennials will provide the deer herd with nutrition during the spring and summer months. Northern states, like Banks Outdoors’ home state of Minnesota, can see the benefits of perennials for longer. The less-intense summers will help the plants to stay active longer and could keep them from going dormant. Consider planting a perennial like clover in your food plot. The best time to plant clover in Minnesota is April to May, and then again from July to September. So, Minnesota is currently in the sweet spot for planting clover.

Fall and Winter

Brassicas thrive in colder weather, so they are good choice for a food plot in the northern states, like Minnesota. Brassicas can offer the deer a food source year-round. The deer herd can graze on their leaves during the summer months as they grow and then enjoy those same plants in the winter as the leaves turn to sugar. Freezing weather brings out the sugar in the leaves which makes them highly addictive to the deer and they’re packed with protein. Kale is an example of a brassica that is resistant to cold weather. Kale is a fast grower, so you can plant this a couple of months before the first frost of the season.

When to Refill

You can provide the deer herd with all of the nutrition mentioned above from our Feedbank Gravity Deer Feeders. Our feeders hold anywhere from 40 to 600 pounds of feed. The large containers mean that you won’t have to refill the feeders as often but you should make sure to keep an eye on your feeders, either in person on via your trail camera, to make sure you’re not running out. The last thing you want is for a group of deer to visit your property, walk up to your feeder ready to enjoy, only to find that there’s no food. You want to make sure you’re keeping the dependency by keeping your feeders stocked.

Also, pay attention to the season. Offer feed according to their preferences. Just make sure that you’re not making the switch in the middle of winter. A deer’s digestive system can’t handle big changes in diet during the cold months. Give your deer herd the right nutrition at the right time and they’ll stay healthy and continue to visit your plot or feeder.

Keep up on Your Water

It’s incredibly important to maintain the water source on your property year-round, as well. Deer love to make their home near areas where they can get both water and food. Our Wild Water® Troughs hold up to 300 gallons of water. Try to refill your troughs and feeders as much as you can during the summer months when you don’t have to worry as much about scaring the deer away. As you start getting into hunting season this fall, you’ll want to make sure your scent is covered when you visit your troughs and feeders. Hunting season opens in Minnesota on Sept. 19, which will be here before you know it.

The time of year you plant and offer feed on your property is just as important as the type of food you plant. Keep deer preferences in mind and try to cultivate a healthy herd as you prepare for hunting season.

What does your off season feeding schedule look like? Let us know in the comments!

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