Contributed by Mike Moore, Tines and Trails
You don’t need a big budget or massive equipment to plant a great food plot—you just need the right gear for your setup. Here’s a breakdown of food plot equipment for every land manager, whether you’re deep in the timber or working a 5-acre field.
Small Food Plots (¼ to 1 Acre)
Perfect for kill plots and remote clearings. Here’s what you’ll want:
- ATV/UTV with disc or drag
- Hand or ATV spreader
- Backpack sprayer
- Rake and mower
Tip: Rent ATV discs or cultipackers from local co-ops or ag stores to save money.
Large Food Plots (1+ Acres)
When you’ve got the space, bigger equipment pays off:
- Tractor (25–50+ HP)
- Tiller or disc harrow
- Cultipacker or drag harrow
- Seed drill or large broadcast spreader
- Tractor sprayer, bush hog, and fertilizer spreader
Pro Tip: No-till drills preserve moisture and prevent erosion—worth the investment if available.
No Tractor? No Problem
You can still grow great plots using manual tools:
- Backpack sprayer for site prep
- Steel garden rake to rough up the soil
- Hand spreader for seed
- Press seed in with roller, ATV tires, or by walking
Best seeds for DIY: Clover, brassicas, and no-till mixes.
Final Thought
Start with what you have, learn what works, and build from there. Even a small, well-planned plot can put a buck in front of your stand this fall.
Hunters and Anglers: How to Control Weeds in Spring Food Plots
