Grasses ·Growing Guide
Timothy Grass
Phleum pratense
Timothy GrassGrassesModerate Maintenance
The gold standard of horse hay. Timothy Grass produces the cleanest, most consistently high-quality hay of any cool-season grass, which is why it commands a premium price in the equine market. Its distinctive cylindrical seed head, low dust characteristics, and reliable nutritional profile have made it the preferred hay grass for horse...
Shop Wicked Tuff Turf →Overview
About Timothy Grass
Timothy (Phleum pratense) has been the dominant hay grass in the northeastern United States since the 1700s. Named for Timothy Hanson, who promoted its cultivation in the early colonial period, it remains the most widely sold hay grass seed in North America. Its reputation rests on consistent quality: moderate protein, low sugar, excellent fiber structure, and minimal dust—characteristics that horse owners specifically seek.
Timothy's biology drives its management requirements. The corm (bulb-like base) stores energy reserves for regrowth. Cutting or grazing below 3 inches damages the corm and can permanently weaken or kill the plant. This makes Timothy unsuitable for continuous close grazing—it needs rotational management with adequate rest periods.
Timothy is often paired with red clover or alfalfa for mixed hay. The legume provides protein and nitrogen fixation while Timothy adds the grass component. This pairing has been the backbone of New England hay fields for centuries.
Timothy's biology drives its management requirements. The corm (bulb-like base) stores energy reserves for regrowth. Cutting or grazing below 3 inches damages the corm and can permanently weaken or kill the plant. This makes Timothy unsuitable for continuous close grazing—it needs rotational management with adequate rest periods.
Timothy is often paired with red clover or alfalfa for mixed hay. The legume provides protein and nitrogen fixation while Timothy adds the grass component. This pairing has been the backbone of New England hay fields for centuries.
Fit
Where It Shines
Best for
- Premium horse hay production
- Mixed hay with red clover or alfalfa
- Cool, moist northern climates (Zones 3-5)
- Small animal hay (rabbits, guinea pigs)
- Northern New England and Canadian hay operations
- Situations where hay quality matters more than yield
Not ideal for
- Residential lawns (not a turf grass)
- Hot, dry climates (struggles in Zones 6+)
- Continuous grazing (damages corm)
- Sandy or droughty soils
- High-yield operations (Orchardgrass yields more)
- Close-mowed turf applications
From Seed to Stand
Establishment & Growth
Germination
Days 7-10: First seedlings visible. Days 10-14: Full germination flush. Moderate speed. Seedlings are narrow and upright with distinctive bulb-like corm at the base.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type. Shallow-rooted with distinctive corm (bulb-like base). Upright growth. Does not spread.
Establishment Timeline
First emergence: 7-10 days. First hay cut: 70-90 days from spring growth. Mature stand: 8-12 months.
Rates & Care
Seeding & Maintenance
| Seeding rate (new) | 8-12 lbs per acre (pasture/hay); 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Overseeding rate | 6-8 lbs per acre |
| Soil temp to germinate | 50°F |
| Mowing height | Not typically mowed as turf; cut for hay at early to mid-bloom stage |
| Minimum mow height | 3 inches (cutting into the corm damages the plant permanently) |
| First mow | At early bloom stage for hay (typically 24-36 inches) |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.0 |
| Soil preference | Moist, fertile loam to clay loam. Prefers consistent moisture. Performs poorly on dry or sandy soils. |
| Nitrogen needs | 40-80 lbs N per acre (moderate requirement for a forage grass) |
Conditions
Tolerances
SunFull sun to moderate sun (5-8 hours)
ShadePoor to Moderate
DroughtPoor to Moderate
TrafficLow
ColdExcellent
HeatPoor to Moderate (one of the least heat-tolerant cool-season grasses)
Hardiness Zones2-6
Step by Step
How to Sow
1
Step 1: Prep
Prep firm, weed-free bed; test pH (5.5-7.0)
2
Step 2: Fertilize
Apply P and K based on soil test
3
Step 3: Sow
Broadcast or drill at 8-12 lbs per acre
4
Step 4: Contact
Plant max 1/4" deep; firm with cultipacker
5
Step 5: Water
Keep moist during establishment
6
Step 6: Mow/Establish
First harvest at early bloom; do not cut below 3"
Feeding & Timing
Fertilizing & Season
Fertilizer Recommendation
Apply 40-80 lbs N per acre annually. Split between early spring and post-first-cutting. When mixed with legumes, reduce or eliminate N. Potassium is critical for Timothy persistence—maintain adequate K levels through soil testing. Recommended: Wicked Growth commercial fertilizer program.
Find the right Wicked fertilizer →Seasonal Planting
Best planted late August through early September (zones 3-5). Spring planting (April-May) also common and effective. Timothy is often frost-seeded (February-March) onto existing pastures. Its small seed size makes it well-suited to broadcast establishment methods.
In Context
How It Compares
Timothy vs. Orchardgrass: Timothy produces higher-quality hay (preferred for horses) but lower yields and slower recovery; Orchardgrass yields more and regrows faster but is coarser. Timothy vs. Bromegrass: Timothy has higher hay quality; Bromegrass is more persistent, drought-tolerant, and forms sod. Timothy vs. Perennial Ryegrass: Timothy is better suited to hay production; Ryegrass provides better grazing tolerance and is a true turf grass.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is timothy grass and why is it popular for horse hay?
Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) is a cool-season perennial bunch grass that produces the highest-quality hay for horses in North America. Its thin stems, soft leaves, and consistent palatability make it the benchmark against which all other horse hays are measured. Timothy hay is lower in protein (8-12%) and energy than alfalfa, which is actually preferred for most horses—excess protein and calories cause metabolic issues. Timothy provides the fiber, chew time, and gut motility horses need without overfeeding nutrients.
When should I plant timothy grass?
Plant timothy in late summer (August-September) for best results, or in early spring (March-April). Late summer planting is strongly preferred—timothy establishes quickly in cool fall conditions and enters winter as a well-rooted stand. Spring plantings face weed competition and summer heat stress. Timothy germinates in 7-14 days at soil temperatures above 50°F. In zones 3-6, plant by mid-September to ensure 6-8 weeks of growth before freeze-up.
What is the seeding rate for timothy grass?
Seed timothy at 6-10 lbs per acre for pure stands, or 3-5 lbs per acre in mixes. For small areas, use approximately 0.25 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Timothy has very small seed (approximately 1.2 million seeds per pound), so a little goes a long way. Plant 0.125-0.25 inches deep—do not bury timothy seed or germination drops dramatically. A firm seedbed followed by cultipacking after seeding ensures proper seed-to-soil contact.
How many cuttings of timothy hay can you get per year?
Timothy typically produces 2 cuttings per year in USDA zones 3-6, with a potential third cutting in long-season areas (zones 5-6) during favorable years. First cutting is the heaviest (1.5-2.5 tons/acre) and should be harvested at early to mid-heading for horse hay quality. Second cutting yields 0.5-1.5 tons/acre and is typically leafier and higher quality. Total annual yield ranges from 2-4 tons per acre depending on fertility, moisture, and management.
Can timothy grass be mixed with other species for pasture?
Yes. Timothy mixes well with most cool-season forages. Common combinations include timothy + alfalfa (the classic horse hay mix), timothy + red clover (excellent all-purpose forage), timothy + orchardgrass + white clover (diverse grazing pasture), and timothy + meadow fescue (extreme cold-hardy zones 3-4). Timothy's bunch-type growth leaves space between plants for legumes to establish, making it an ideal companion grass. Avoid mixing with aggressive rhizomatous grasses that might crowd timothy out.
How cold-hardy is timothy grass?
Timothy is one of the most winter-hardy cool-season grasses, reliably persisting in USDA zones 2-6 with winter temperatures to -40°F. It is the preferred forage grass for the coldest regions of northern New England, upper Midwest, and Canada. Timothy's cold hardiness comes from its corm-like stem base (haplocorm) that stores carbohydrates below ground. This same structure is vulnerable to close grazing—never graze or cut timothy below 3 inches to protect the haplocorm.
Does timothy tolerate heat and drought?
Timothy is the least heat-tolerant and least drought-tolerant of the major forage grasses. It goes dormant and may thin during prolonged heat above 85°F or drought conditions. In zones 6-7, timothy struggles through summer and is outperformed by orchardgrass and tall fescue. Timothy is best suited for cool, moist climates (zones 3-5) where summer heat stress is minimal. If you're in zone 6+, consider orchardgrass or tall fescue as the primary grass with timothy as a minor component.
