Plant Now, Feast Later: A New Hampshire Fall Planting Guide for Happy Ducks
Picture this: it’s a bright spring morning here in New Hampshire. The last of the snow has finally melted away, and your ducks are waddling enthusiastically through a patch of lush, tender greens you planted months ago.
By planning ahead and planting in the fall,
you can create a natural, self-serve buffet for your flock that will be ready the moment spring arrives.
Fall planting in USDA Hardiness Zone 5 gives specific plants a crucial head start. They establish strong root systems before the ground freezes, allowing them to burst with growth at the first sign of spring, providing your ducks with nutritious, early-season forage. As your local Tamworth-based property experts, we at 4 Works Services know a thing or two about working with New Hampshire soil. Here’s our guide to the best fall crops to plant for your feathered friends.
Best Fall-Planted Crops for Spring Duck Forage
Ducks love a mix of tender greens, grains, and tasty roots. These cold-hardy options are perfect for a Zone 5 fall planting schedule and will create a delicious and healthy environment for your flock.
1. Winter Wheat & Winter Rye
These cereal grains are the superstars of fall planting. They are incredibly cold-hardy and serve a dual purpose for your ducks.
Why Ducks Love It: In early spring, they produce a carpet of tender, nutrient-rich shoots that ducks will graze on eagerly. If you let some of it mature, the grain heads that form later in the season provide an excellent source of carbohydrates.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds in late August through September. This gives them enough time to germinate and grow a few inches tall before the harsh winter weather sets in. Simply broadcast the seed over tilled soil and rake it in lightly.
2. Austrian Winter Peas
Don't let the name fool you; these aren't just for people. Austrian winter peas are a fantastic choice for adding protein to your ducks' diet.
Why Ducks Love It: The leafy vines are highly palatable, and ducks will devour them in the spring. As a legume, they also fix nitrogen in the soil, improving its health for future plantings—a win-win for your property.
Planting Tips: Plant these alongside your winter rye or wheat in late summer or early fall. They work together beautifully, with the sturdy grains providing a natural trellis for the pea vines to climb.
3. Kale
Brassicas like kale are nutritional powerhouses, and certain varieties are surprisingly tough. Even after a New Hampshire winter, kale can offer an early spring feast.
Why Ducks Love It: Ducks enjoy pecking at the vitamin-rich, textured leaves. It’s one of the first leafy greens to become available in the spring, providing a welcome change from winter feed.
Planting Tips: Choose a cold-hardy variety like 'Winterbor' or 'Siberian' Kale. Plant in late July or early August. The plants will establish themselves, and many will survive the winter under a blanket of snow, re-growing from the base in the spring.
4. Dutch White Clover
For a long-term, low-maintenance forage option, nothing beats clover.
Why Ducks Love It: Clover is a protein-packed green that ducks find delicious. It’s a low-growing perennial, meaning it will come back year after year, creating a permanent “duck lawn” for them to graze.
Planting Tips: Frost-seed clover in late fall or even early winter. Scatter the seeds over the ground. The natural freezing and thawing cycles will work the seeds into the soil for you, where they will wait patiently to germinate in the spring.
More Hardy Plant Options for Your Flock
To create a truly diverse and exciting menu for your ducks, consider adding these robust options to your fall planting mix.
Forage Radishes & Turnips
These root vegetables are fantastic for both their greens and their roots.
Why Ducks Love It: In the fall, ducks will nibble on the leafy tops. Over the winter, the roots that are close to the surface will soften from the freeze-thaw cycle, making them an irresistible and easy-to-eat treat in the spring. They are also great "soil busters," helping to break up compacted earth.
Planting Tips: Plant in late August or early September. They need a bit of time to establish their roots before the ground freezes solid.
Hairy Vetch
This is another excellent legume that acts as a superb cover crop.
Why Ducks Love It: Hairy vetch produces dense, vine-like foliage that provides excellent cover and a protein-rich food source. Like winter peas, it also enriches your soil by fixing nitrogen.
Planting Tips: Sow in early fall, often mixed with winter rye for support. It will establish roots before winter and take off with vigorous growth in the spring.
Build the Perfect Duck Paradise
A happy flock needs more than just good food—they need a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment. We've designed the ideal duck house and habitat specifically for the New Hampshire climate.
Stay tuned for our FREE Duck House & Habitat Plans: Get our professionally designed, easy-to-follow plans to build the perfect shelter and run for your flock.
Hire Us to Build It For You: Want a hassle-free, expertly constructed duck paradise? Creating the perfect forage plot and home for your ducks is a rewarding project. But preparing the soil, sourcing the right seeds, designing, constructing, and managing your land can be a lot of work. Our skilled team can build a custom habitat on your property, tailored to your space and your flock's needs. Contact Us for a Custom Build Quote
Need a Hand with Your New Hampshire Property?
Creating the perfect forage plot for your ducks is a rewarding project. But preparing the soil, sourcing the right seeds, and managing your land can be a lot of work.
Whether it's tilling a new garden plot, managing larger fields, or handling your property's complete year-round needs, 4 Works Services is here to help. We provide expert home, property, and land management services throughout New Hampshire.
Contact 4 Works Services today for a free consultation and let us help you bring your property goals to life!
📞 603 299 9369
📍 Central New Hampshire
🌐 www.4worksservices.com
