BIG 3™
THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY GREAT FOOD PLOT.
Simple. Proven. Dependable.
Built around three time-tested cereal grains, Big 3™ delivers fast establishment, dependable attraction, and season-long forage. Whether you're planting your first food plot or managing multiple hunting properties, Big 3™ provides consistent results year after year.
PERFECT FOR:
• New food plotters
• Budget-conscious land managers
• Large acreage
• Reliable annual food plots
✓ Fast Germination
✓ Cold Hardy
✓ Easy To Grow
✓ Proven At The Testing Grounds™
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BIG 3™
SIX REASONS HUNTERS PLANT BIG 3™
The Classic Foundation For Fall Food Plots.
Fast Establishment
Rapid-germinating wheat, oats, and cereal rye quickly produce attractive green forage for early season success.
Consistent Attraction
Three proven cereal grains provide dependable forage that keeps deer utilizing your property throughout the fall and winter.
Cold-hardy Performance
Engineered with cool-season cereals that continue producing through frost and cold weather.
Simple To Grow
An easy-to-establish blend that performs across a wide range of soil types and management styles.
Great For Large Acreage
An excellent choice for planting multiple food plots or larger acreages while delivering dependable results season after season.
Proven Foundation
Built on three of the most trusted cool-season forage species, Big 3™ delivers the dependable performance that has made cereal grain blends a food plot staple for generations.
IS BIG 3™ THE RIGHT CHOICE?
What To Expect
See how BIG 3™ develops throughout the growing season.
7-14 Days
Rapid Establishment
Wheat, oats, and cereal rye germinate quickly, producing fresh green forage that immediately begins attracting deer.
30 Days
Thick Green Growth
The blend develops into a dense, highly palatable stand that provides excellent early-season nutrition while naturally suppressing weed competition.
After First Frost
Peak Performance
Cooler temperatures increase forage palatability as all three cereal grains continue producing abundant, highly preferred forage throughout hunting season.
Spring
Productive Finish
Big 3™ continues producing quality forage until warmer temperatures naturally end the cool-season growing cycle, making it easy to terminate and prepare for spring or summer plantings.
WHAT'S INSIDE BIG 3™
EVERY INGREDIENT HAS A PURPOSE
Every ingredient was selected for one reason—to produce dependable, highly attractive cool-season forage that establishes quickly and performs throughout the hunting season.
The backbone of Big 3™. Produces abundant, highly digestible forage that delivers dependable nutrition from early fall through late winter.
Rapid germination creates early green forage that attracts deer quickly while helping the plot establish fast.
Exceptional cold tolerance extends forage production through harsh winter conditions while adding resilience to the stand.
Foundational Blend™
Simple To Plant. Built To Perform.
Where & When To Plant
Zone 1: October - November
Zone 2: September - October
Zone 3: Late August - October
Zone 4: Mid-August - Late September
Zone 5: September - October
Zone 6: Late July - August
PLANTING RULE
• Soil temperatures below 70°F and falling
• Plant 45–60 days before average first frost
• Plant just ahead of a soaking rainfall
Planting windows are general guidelines and may vary by local elevation, climate, and seasonal weather conditions.
Planting At A Glance
Coverage
Up To 1/2 Acre
Planting Depth
1/2" - 1"
Planting Method
Broadcast or Drill
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil Ph
6.0 - 7.0
Moisture
Moderate
Common Mistakes
✗ Planting too early into hot soils
✗ Planting too deep
✗ Skipping fertilizer
✗ Underestimating browse pressure
View Full Planting Instructions
PREPARATION
Begin with a clean, firm seedbed to promote even seed distribution and excellent seed-to-soil contact. Remove existing weeds and vegetation before planting. For no-till applications, terminate existing vegetation before planting.
SOIL TEST & FERTILITY
For best results, conduct a soil test and adjust soil pH to 6.0–7.0 as needed. Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. For maximum establishment and forage production, pair Big 3™ with Fuel™ Cereal Grains, formulated specifically for cool-season food plots.
PLANTING RATE
Broadcast (Prepared Seedbed): 100 lbs/acre
Broadcast (No-Till): 120–125 lbs/acre
Drill: 80 lbs/acre
PLANTING DEPTH
Broadcast: Lightly incorporate seed ½–1 inch deep using a drag, cultipacker, or roller.
Drill: Plant ¾–1 inch deep for
optimum seed-to-soil contact and uniform emergence.
TIMING
Plant Big 3™ when soil temperatures decline to approximately 55–65°F, typically 45–60 days before your area's average first frost. Planting during cooler conditions promotes rapid establishment, vigorous fall growth, and dependable season-long forage production.
MOISTURE
Adequate soil moisture is essential for rapid germination and uniform establishment. Plant just ahead of expected rainfall whenever possible and avoid planting into dry soil. Consistent moisture produces a thicker, more productive stand.
ADJUSTING FOR PLS & GERMINATION
Recommended planting rates assume 100% Pure Live Seed (PLS)
and 100% germination. Actual seed quality varies by lot. To determine an
adjusted planting rate, divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS
percentage multiplied by the germination percentage (both expressed as
decimals). Adjusting for PLS and germination helps ensure proper stand density
and maximize forage production.
Build Your Complete Hunting Program
Step 1: Enrich THE SOIL
Step 2: Build The Plot
Step 3: Increase Attraction
Step 4: Supplement Your Herd
Step 5: Increase Mineral Intake
Step 6: Reliable Feed Delivery
Step 7: Overseed For Success
EVERY PRODUCT MUST EARN THE BACKWOODS® NAME.
Nothing earns the Backwoods® name until it proves itself in the field.
Every Backwoods® food plot, attractant, mineral, supplement, and feeder is developed and evaluated under real hunting conditions—not just test plots or research stations.
If it doesn't perform for us, it never reaches your property.
We don't build products to sell. We build products we trust enough to use ourselves.
Tested by hunters. Proven by deer.
At The Testing Grounds™
• Hundreds of acres evaluated
• Year-round field testing
• Real hunting pressure
• Properties in multiple regions
• Trail camera monitored
• Product performance documented
NOT SURE WHICH PLOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Best Classic Cereal Grain Blend
Best For: Hunters wanting a simple, dependable cool-season food plot built around three proven cereal grains that consistently deliver results.
Best Overall Fall Blend
Best For: Hunters wanting one premium blend that combines exceptional forage production, season-long attraction, and long-term soil improvement.
Best For Large Properties
Best For: Hunters managing larger acreages who want dependable forage production, excellent browse tolerance, and outstanding value across multiple food plots.
Ultimate Hunting Blend
Best For: Hunters wanting a premium annual blend that delivers maximum attraction from opening day through late winter.
Real Plots. Real Deer. Real Results.
PROVEN IN THE REAL WORLD
Every photo on this page comes from real Backwoods® food plots planted and evaluated at The Testing Grounds™ and on customer properties across the country. No stock photography. No staged results. Just real-world performance.
Know Before You Grow
WHY SHOULD I PLANT BIG 3™?
Big 3™ combines three proven cool-season cereal grains that have consistently produced dependable food plots for generations. It's an excellent choice for hunters wanting a simple, reliable annual food plot without unnecessary complexity.
WHAT MAKES BIG 3™ DIFFERENT FROM BIG RIVER™?
Both are excellent cool-season blends, but Big 3™ focuses on simplicity with three proven cereal grains. Big River™ adds clovers and turnips to increase forage diversity, extend seasonal performance, and improve soil health.
WHEN SHOULD I PLANT BIG 3™?
Plant when soil temperatures decline to approximately 55–65°F, typically 45–60 days before your area's average first frost, and when adequate soil moisture is available.
WILL BIG 3™ HANDLE HEAVY BROWSE PRESSURE?
Yes. The blend's cereal grains establish quickly and produce abundant forage that tolerates moderate to heavy browsing, making Big 3™ a dependable choice for many hunting properties.
WHY ARE WHEAT, OATS, AND RYE INCLUDED?
Each species serves a different purpose. Wheat provides the foundation of the blend, oats deliver rapid establishment and early attraction, and rye contributes outstanding cold tolerance and dependable late-season
production.
WHAT FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE?
For maximum establishment and forage production, pair Big 3™ with Backwoods Fuel™ Cereal Grains and follow soil test recommendations for future fertilizer applications.
WHAT IF WEEDS START TAKING OVER?
The best weed control begins before planting. Start with a clean seedbed and maintain proper fertility to help Big 3™ establish quickly and naturally compete with many weeds throughout the growing season.
CAN I PLANT BIG 3™ EVERY YEAR?
Yes. Big 3™ is designed as an annual cool-season blend and can be replanted each fall. Rotating with warm-season food plots is encouraged to improve soil health and maximize long-term food plot productivity.