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As with any type of plant or seed, there are many different varieties when it comes to planting food plots.

These different varieties of seeds can be planted for varying food plot results and wildlife conservation purposes.  

When looking at most ideal food plots you will notice they consist of mixtures of different crops chosen carefully for a particular species. Each variety of seeds planted for food plots and wildlife conservation purposes should be meticulously chosen. Usually, you will find that mixtures of different crops chosen for a particular species are a good way to plant your food plots and get maximum wildlife use.

The Three Types of Basic Crops

Perennial means long term plantings (lasts two or more years) with very minimal maintenance. Some of these include wildflowers, clovers, legumes, grasses, herbs, lespedeza bushes, and vines such as the Japanese Honeysuckle. Perennials may need occasional reseeding every few years depending on species, weather, climate factors and site conditions and condition of the plants. Some species are short term perennials (couple of years) before they start thinning out and other species will still be alive unchanged after many decades of life.

Annual means seasonal plantings (lasts one growing season or possibly up to a year) with or without fertilizers, ground preparations and some crop rotations for success and maintenance. Annual plantings can be any of the following: wildflowers, garden flowers, legumes, rye grasses, millets, oil seed flowers, sorghums and the list goes on according to your location and the wildlife you are attempting to attract.

Annuals must be replanted each year (new plantings, new seeds)

Naturalized plots are designed to add to the wild forage available with plants indigenous to the area.

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