★ Cover Crop + Food Plot Duo
Best Winter Rye & Chicory Blend: Year-Round Soil Protection Plus Perennial Food Plot in One Planting
Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Winter Rye & Chicory Blend
by Wicked Tuff Turf — Littleton, New Hampshire
Winter Rye & Chicory Blend
Secale cereale + Cichorium intybus
"The succession planting. Winter Rye covers and protects soil through winter. Chicory establishes underneath and takes over in spring — creating a perennial food plot from a single fall seeding event."
Rye emergence: 3-7
Establishment
Zones 3-8
Hardiness Range
Very Low
Maintenance
Specialty
Category
Winter Rye Cover
Perennial Chicory Food Plot
Automatic Succession
Weed Suppression
Zero Bare Ground Period
Anti-Parasitic Chicory
Fall Planting Only
Trusted by 20,000+ Growers
| Species | Winter Rye & Chicory Blend (Secale cereale + Cichorium intybus) |
| Growth Habit | Two-phase system: Phase 1 (fall-spring): Winter Rye dominates—upright cereal grain providing winter cover and spring bio |
| Root Depth | Rye: 4-6 inches fibrous. Chicory: 10-18+ inches taproot. Combined root architecture covers both shallow and deep soil layers. |
| Establishment | Rye emergence: 3-7 days. Chicory rosettes visible: 14-21 days. Winter: Rye provides cover; Chicory crowns dormant. Sprin |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 |
| Maintenance | Very Low |
| Category | Specialty |
| Available Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb |
What We Love
- Two crops from one planting — winter cover + perennial food plot
- Automatic species succession — Rye dies as Chicory takes over
- Year-round soil coverage with zero gap
- Rye weed suppression protects establishing Chicory
- Chicory persists 3-5 years after Rye dies
Worth Noting
- Very specific blend — limited use cases beyond food plots
- Chicory establishment can be spotty if Rye is too aggressive
Buy on Old Cobblers Farm →
Available in 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb
The Competition
Winter Rye (Cereal Rye)
by Deer Creek Seed
100% Cereal Rye (Secale cereale)
Purity / Germ
Sizes5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb
Price$10–$60
Winter Rye Food Plot Seed
by Elk Mound Seed
100% Cereal Rye
Purity / Germ
Sizes5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb
Price$12–$55
Chicory Food Plot Seed
by Hancock Seed
100% Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Purity / Germ
Sizes1 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb
Price$15–$80
Fall/Winter/Spring Food Plot Blend
by Antler King
Cereal Rye, Winter Wheat, Crimson Clover, Brassicas
Purity / Germ
Sizes3 lb, 12 lb
Price$20–$50
Tall Tine Tubers (Fall Blend)
by Whitetail Institute
Brassicas (turnips, rape) + cereal grains
Purity / Germ
Sizes3.5 lb, 12 lb
Price$20–$50
Winter Rye (Common) Organic Cover Crop Seed
by Johnny's Selected Seeds
100% Organic Cereal Rye
Purity / Germ
Sizes1 lb, 5 lb, 50 lb
Price$5–$70
Winter Rye Cover Crop Seed
by Hudson Valley Seed
100% Cereal Rye
Purity / Germ
Sizes1/2 lb, 1 lb, 5 lb
Price$5–$20
No-Till Winter Rye Seeds
by Mountain Valley Seed
100% Non-GMO Cereal Rye
Purity / Germ
Sizes1 lb, 5 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb
Price$8–$50
Winter Rye Seeds
by Sow True Seed
100% Cereal Rye (open-pollinated)
Purity / Germ
Sizes1/2 lb, 1 lb, 5 lb
Price$4–$16
Harvest Salad Fall Blend
by Real World Wildlife
Cereal Rye, Wheat, Oats, Crimson Clover, Chicory, Brassicas
Purity / Germ
Sizes5 lb, 14 lb
Price$25–$55
| Feature | Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Winter Rye & Chicory Blend | Winter Rye (Cereal Rye) | Winter Rye Food Plot Seed | Chicory Food Plot Seed | Fall/Winter/Spring Food Plot Blend | Tall Tine Tubers (Fall Blend) | Winter Rye (Common) Organic Cover Crop Seed | Winter Rye Cover Crop Seed | No-Till Winter Rye Seeds | Winter Rye Seeds | Harvest Salad Fall Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity / Germ | 100% Cereal Rye (Secale cereale) | 100% Cereal Rye | 100% Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus) | Cereal Rye, Winter Wheat, Crimson Clover, Brassicas | Brassicas (turnips, rape) + cereal grains | 100% Organic Cereal Rye | 100% Cereal Rye | 100% Non-GMO Cereal Rye | 100% Cereal Rye (open-pollinated) | Cereal Rye, Wheat, Oats, Crimson Clover, Chicory, Brassicas | |
| Sizes | 1 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 25 lb | 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb | 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb | 1 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb | 3 lb, 12 lb | 3.5 lb, 12 lb | 1 lb, 5 lb, 50 lb | 1/2 lb, 1 lb, 5 lb | 1 lb, 5 lb, 25 lb, 50 lb | 1/2 lb, 1 lb, 5 lb | 5 lb, 14 lb |
| Price | $10–$60 | $12–$55 | $15–$80 | $20–$50 | $20–$50 | $5–$70 | $5–$20 | $8–$50 | $4–$16 | $25–$55 | |
| Brand | Old Cobblers Farm | Deer Creek Seed | Elk Mound Seed | Hancock Seed | Antler King | Whitetail Institute | Johnny's Selected Seeds | Hudson Valley Seed | Mountain Valley Seed | Sow True Seed | Real World Wildlife |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How long does it take for the seed to germinate?
Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days under optimal conditions with consistent moisture and temperatures between 60-75°F.
-
What is the best time of year to plant this grass seed?
The ideal planting times are early fall (late August to mid-October) or spring (mid-April to early June) when soil temperatures are favorable for germination.
-
What do the numbers on the seed tag mean?
The seed tag shows purity percentage (amount of pure seed), germination rate (percentage that will sprout), weed seed content, and other crop or inert matter. Higher purity and germination percentages indicate better quality seed.
-
What is the recommended seeding rate per 1,000 square feet?
For new lawns, apply 3-4 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For overseeding existing lawns, use 2-3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
-
Is it better to use a single species or a seed mix?
A single species like Kentucky Bluegrass provides uniformity in color and texture, while a mix offers better disease resistance and adaptability to varying conditions. Your choice depends on your priorities for appearance versus resilience.
