Imagine this: You’re out in the woods, the morning mist is lifting, and you hear that unmistakable gobble. But where are the turkeys? Getting those magnificent birds to visit your hunting spot consistently can feel like a guessing game. Many hunters plant food plots hoping for success, but often end up with a patch of weeds instead of a turkey magnet. It’s frustrating to put in the hard work only to see disappointing results.
Choosing the right food plot mix for turkeys is crucial, yet it can be confusing. Do you need clover, brassicas, or something else entirely? The wrong mix can waste your time, money, and effort, leaving your hunting ground empty. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly what turkeys crave throughout the year and how to plant a plot that works.
By the end of this post, you will know the secrets to designing a food plot that keeps turkeys coming back for more. Get ready to trade frustration for fantastic turkey sightings. Let’s dive into building the ultimate Turkey Food Plot!
Top Turkey Food Plot Recommendations
- Planted in the fall Full Strut provides excellent forage attraction for whitetail deer
- Preferred grain and clovers for turkey and harbors multiple insects through spring and summer
- Increases biodiversity offering a variety of different forages that attract wild turkey and other species of game birds
- Contains exclusive WT1031-1 Triticale
- Creates excellent nesting habitat
- 1 JUG (4.5 LBS.) = 1/4 ACRE (11,000 Sq. Ft.) - Comes in a handy reuseable container
- High quality chufa seed that attracts and holds turkey on your property
- The nut-like tubers produced by turkey select are scratched up and devoured by turkeys
- The tubers are high in carbohydrates and protein and are also great for waterfowl
- Easy to grow and will mature in 100-120 days
- Can be grown in almost any part of the country - spring and early summer is planting time
- 3 Clovers, Triticale, Chicory, Joint Vetch
- Highly Attractive to Deer and Turkeys
- Shade Tolerant
- Perennial Mix
- Easy to Grow
- CLOVER SEEDS FOR DEER & TURKEY – Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme Select Food Plot Seed Blends create an irresistible natural forage buffet for whitetail deer and turkey. Using only the highest quality clover food plot seeds, Pure Whitetail’s Clover Xtreme Select Seed Blends create habit forming deer and turkey travel patterns in your desired locations.
- PREMIUM SEEDS – Pure Whitetail’s Clover Xtreme uses only the highest quality food plot seeds, which create a potent all-season turkey and deer food source. Don’t work harder than you need to. Let these turkey and deer food plot seeds bulk up the deer and turkey for you. Turkey and deer hunting has never been simpler.
- EASY TO USE – These premium food plot seeds for whitetail deer provide no till food plot seed for deer that is perfect for your favorite hunting spots. Deer feeders aren’t necessary when you use these premium deer food plot seed. Simply sow the seeds wherever you want to feed deer. Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme is also excellent as turkey food plot seed. Turkey and deer feed, grow big and strong, and keep coming back for more!
- DROUGHT RESISTANT PERENNIAL FOOD PLOT – Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme is the perfect choice for a year-round turkey and buck food plot that resists heat, drought, disease, and cold. Clover Xtreme includes a precise mixture of White Cloud Clover seed, Black Arrowleaf Clover seed, and Ladino Clover seeds. These protein rich and highly palatable hardy food plot seeds for deer and turkey provide a reliable food source with minimal effort.
- ONE 5 LB BAG COVERS 1 ACRE – Sow the seeds where turkey and whitetail access your favorite hunting spot to create a whitetail food plot deer and turkey will return to forage year-round. Clover Xtreme may be the easiest way to create a secret spot food plot for wildlife. Growth between 12" - 36" high. Our mix grows up to 5 years. Each bag covers 1 acre.
- 5 types of clover
- Perennial Mix; Up to 5 Years
- Highly Palatable Protein
- Drought Tolerant
- Graze Tolerant
- NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS - The Evolved Harvest 7 Card Stud is the most adaptive food plot available today; It combines the triticale, oats, winter peas, clover, chicory, turnip, and radishes providing a blend your deer simply cannot resist
- HIGH PROTEIN & MINERAL CONTENT - With a deer favorite always growing, you'll quickly build regular hoof traffic and a stronger overall herd; This blend is high in protein and minerals and also has a sweet taste that attracts deer on the property
- FULL SEASON FORAGE FOR DEER - This incredible blend of forage variety plants covers all your early, mid and late season needs to attract and hold deer on your property; 7 Card Stud is extremely adaptable to different regions and climates
- ANNUAL SEEDS - These are fast-growing, high-yielding forage varieties that must be planted every year; They can typically be planted during the summer or fall; Produces a vital energy source during fall and winter when food is scarce
- EVOLVED HAND-SELECTS SEEDS - based on the ability to attract wildlife with a high-volume nutritious food source; All seeds are designed specifically for consumption in the field to provide a nutrient-rich, highly-palatable diet for wildlife all year long
- Broad range of 12 forages specially selected and combined to provide maximum attraction through hunting Season and beyond
- Can be planted with Minimal ground preparation - enough to establish good seed-to-soil contact
- Contains soil ph. booster to help forage growth even in slightly acidic soils
- Just clear the area of existing vegetation and expose the soil to ensure seed-to-soil contact
- Plant secret spot in the places that only you and your Deer will find
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Cultivating the Perfect Turkey Food Plot
Creating a successful food plot for wild turkeys brings them right to your hunting spot. Choosing the right seed mix matters a lot. This guide helps you pick the best turkey food plot mix for your land.
Key Features to Look For in Turkey Food Plot Seed
Good turkey food plot mixes offer several important things. These features help attract and keep turkeys happy all season long.
1. Diverse Seed Blend
- Variety is Key: Look for mixes that include several types of seeds. Turkeys eat different things at different times of the year.
- Year-Round Appeal: The best mixes have seeds that sprout early in spring and last late into winter.
2. Attraction Power
- High Palatability: The seeds must taste good to the birds. Clovers and brassicas are usually big hits.
- Quick Growth: You want seeds that sprout fast. Faster growth means turkeys find the plot sooner.
3. Nutritional Value
- Protein Content: High-protein seeds help turkeys grow strong feathers and healthy bodies, especially before the spring gobbling season.
- Forage Duration: Some seeds provide food for only a few weeks. Others last the entire hunting season. Choose long-lasting options.
Important Materials in Your Seed Mix
The ingredients determine how well your plot works. Different materials serve different purposes for the flock.
Primary Forage Crops
- Clovers (Red, White, Ladino): These are staples. They offer great protein and regrow well after being grazed.
- Alfalfa: A long-lasting, high-protein favorite, though it sometimes needs specific soil conditions.
- Brassicas (Radish, Turnip): Turkeys love these in the fall and winter. Frost actually makes them sweeter and more appealing.
Secondary Attractants
- Grains (Millet, Sorghum): These provide quick, heavy seeds that turkeys enjoy scratching for, especially young birds.
- Legumes (Peas, Beans): These boost the nitrogen in the soil and offer excellent protein.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the seed mix directly affects your plot’s success. Pay attention to these details.
Quality Boosters
- Seed Treatment: High-quality seeds often come coated with a fungicide or inoculant. This protects the seed early on.
- Seed Purity: Check the label for purity percentage. Higher percentages mean less weed seed and more actual food.
Quality Reducers
- Weed Seeds: Low-quality mixes often contain many weed seeds. These seeds compete with your food crops, making your plot thin.
- Improper Formulation: If a mix only contains one type of seed, it might fail if that one plant doesn’t thrive in your soil. Diversity prevents total failure.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the plot guides your purchase. Think about when you hunt and what your soil can handle.
Hunting Season Focus
- Spring Hunting: Focus on early-growing greens like clover that are available when toms are active.
- Fall Hunting: Use mixes heavy in brassicas and grains. These ripen just before or during the fall season.
Ease of Planting
- No-Till Options: Some mixes are designed to be broadcast directly onto disturbed ground without extensive plowing. This saves time and effort.
- Soil Tolerance: If you have poor soil, choose a hardy mix that does not require perfect pH levels.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Food Plots
Q: What is the best time of year to plant a turkey food plot?
A: Generally, late summer or early fall is the best time. This allows the plants to establish before the harsh winter weather hits.
Q: Do I need to till the soil deeply for a food plot?
A: Deep tilling helps a lot, but many modern mixes work well with minimal soil disturbance, often called “no-till” planting.
Q: How large does my food plot need to be?
A: Even a small plot, like a quarter-acre, can attract turkeys if it is well-placed near their roosting or travel areas.
Q: How do I know if my soil is good enough?
A: You should get a soil test kit. This tells you the pH level and what nutrients your soil lacks, helping you amend it correctly.
Q: Why are brassicas good for fall food plots?
A: Frost sweetens the brassica roots, making them extremely attractive to turkeys when other green foods are dying back.
Q: Can I use the same mix for deer and turkeys?
A: Yes. Most high-quality clover and brassica mixes attract both deer and turkeys very effectively.
Q: How long does a good food plot mix last?
A: Perennial mixes (like clover) can last three to five years with minimal reseeding. Annual mixes must be replanted every year.
Q: What does “palatability” mean for turkey food?
A: Palatability means how tasty the food is. Turkeys will eat highly palatable food before they eat less tasty options.
Q: Should I use fertilizer on my food plot?
A: Yes, fertilizer is important. Follow your soil test recommendations for the best results, as different crops need different nutrients.
Q: Can I plant my food plot too close to my stand?
A: It is generally best to plant the plot within 100 yards of your stand, but make sure the birds do not walk directly past your blind to reach the food.