Why Perennial Food Plots Are Better

What is a perennial food plot, and why you need one.

When it comes to establishing food plots for hunting, many avid hunters and wildlife

enthusiasts focus on annual crops—such as oats, sorghum, corn, beans, radishes, etc.  Sound

familiar?

Though often overlooked, a superior option is the use of perennial plants (plants that regrow

from the same root system year after year). Perennials offer numerous benefits that can greatly

enhance the quality and sustainability of food plots. What are these so called “benefits”? And

how can they help you? 

1. Long-Term Investment

One of the primary advantages of perennial plants is their long lifespan. Unlike annuals that

require replanting each year, perennials establish deep root systems and can survive for

multiple seasons, sometimes even decades. Even if money was the main objective, yes, you

might pay 5 to 10 times more to have it established, but that pays back very quickly. As for your

work load, after the second year, you will hardly ever have to go into your food plots for

maintenance.

2. Enhanced Nutritional Value

Perennial plants typically offer superior nutritional value compared to their annual

counterparts. They have more time to develop robust root systems, enabling them to access

deeper soil nutrients and water reserves. Working Class Bowhunter team member Judd

McCullum sums up these nutritional benefits by referring to them as a “full plate” of nutrition.

This  means the diversity of plants in perennial food plots provide a vast quantity of different

food resources for wildlife beginning each spring and lasting into the late hunting seasons. 

3. Increased biodiversity

This is the big one. Think about it this way, the more plant diversity, the more insects. The more

insects, the more insect eaters such as quail, pheasants, doves, and turkeys. Of course plant

eating game species benefit from the expanded salad bar as well, so deer and rabbits will take

advantage of the improved options. Perennials’ ability to establish and persist for multiple

seasons provides a stable habitat and food source for a wide range of wildlife species.  This

diverse ecosystem fosters a healthy balance and strengthens the overall resilience of the

wildlife community, ultimately improving the hunting experience.

4. Soil Conservation and Erosion Control

This one mostly speaks for itself. Less tillage plus more ground cover equals less soil erosion and

higher soil quality. (Not to mention that biomass that starts to add up year after year)

Not only are perennial food plots better for your hunting experience, they are better for your

soil, your wallet, your schedule, and your taxidermist.

Looking for a perennial food plot? Check out our hunting mixes!

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