How to Grow Timothy Grass & Bromegrass
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Timothy Grass & Bromegrass
Phleum pratense (Timothy) & Bromus species (Bromegrass)
grassTimothy grass and bromegrass are cool-season perennial forage grasses commonly grown together in mixed hay stands for livestock feed. Timothy produces dense, compact seed heads and is highly nutritious, while bromegrass offers excellent persistence, drought tolerance, and nutritional value. Together they create productive, balanced pastures and hay crops across northern temperate regions.
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Example Timothy Grass & Bromegrass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Timothy Grass & Bromegrass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Timothy Grass & Bromegrass
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-6 are optimal; timothy thrives in cooler regions (zones 2-5), while bromegrass extends productivity into zones 6-7
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Get my Timothy Grass & Bromegrass timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Seedling)
4-8 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with minimal root systems; timothy shows fine, hair-like leaves; bromegrass slightly broader leaves. Dense green growth in first 4-6 weeks.
Keep seedbed moist but not waterlogged. Avoid heavy grazing or harvest in first 6-8 weeks. Competition from weeds is critical—manage with light mowing or herbicides if needed.
Tillering & Root Development
4-8 weeksMultiple shoots emerge from base; plants fill in horizontally. Root systems deepen substantially. Canopy becomes denser and greener.
Provide nitrogen (30-50 lbs/acre split application) to boost tillering. Light grazing or mowing at 3-4 inches can encourage branching. Ensure adequate moisture.
Vegetative Growth (Boot to Early Heading)
3-4 weeksSeed heads form inside leaf sheath (boot stage), then emerge. Plants reach 18-30 inches height. Timothy shows characteristic dense, compact seed head; bromegrass shows more open panicle. Nutrient quality peaks before full heading.
Plan harvest timing for maximum forage quality—timothy at early-boot (highest digestibility) yields excellent hay. Monitor moisture. Apply second nitrogen split if planned for multiple cuts.
Heading & Flowering
2-3 weeksFull seed head emergence; timothy displays distinctive dense spike, bromegrass shows branching panicle. Plants flower; pollen visible. Height plateaus at 24-36 inches.
Delay harvest past this stage only if seed production is goal; forage quality declines rapidly. For hay, harvest at late boot to early heading for optimal balance of yield and nutrition. Ensure equipment is clean to reduce seed spread if undesired.
Seed Maturity & Dormancy
4-6 weeks until dormancySeed heads turn golden-brown; seeds harden and fall or remain in head depending on variety. Growth slows; plants enter summer dormancy or quiescence.
If harvesting seed, allow full maturation (late July-August). If harvesting forage, cut before this stage. In late season, apply fall nitrogen (20-30 lbs/acre) 4-6 weeks before killing frost to boost spring vigor.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Scout for leaf damage and dark droppings; thresholds vary by region. Mow or graze to reduce damage; insecticide application rarely justified in pasture systems. Early harvest removes pest populations.
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More damaging in drought stress. Maintain adequate moisture and fertility to promote plant vigor. Resistant varieties and timely mowing help. Insecticidal control rare in hay stands.
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Peak in hot, dry years. Scout populations in mid-summer. Early harvest (hay) removes nymphs. Vegetation management (mowing field margins) reduces populations. Chemical control only in severe outbreaks.
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Larval feeding in tillers causes seedling death. Adequate soil moisture and early vigor reduce impact. Seed treatments sometimes used for direct-seeding on problem fields. Establish vigorous seedling stands.
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Dark, horn-like sclerotia form on seed heads; highly toxic to livestock. Plant resistant varieties where available. Scout and remove infected plants if seed production intended. Avoid overripe seed harvesting.
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and
(Puccinia, Septoria species)
Wet springs promote fungal diseases. Adequate plant spacing and air circulation help. Resistant varieties available (especially important for timothy). Balanced nitrogen fertilization reduces severity.
Uses
Livestock Forage & Feed
CulinaryTimothy and bromegrass mixed hay is the gold standard for equine, dairy, and beef cattle nutrition, prized for balanced energy, protein, and fiber content that maintains ruminant health. The combination provides complementary nutritional profiles with timothy offering excellent palatability and bromegrass adding drought resilience and sustained productivity. [source]
Soil Conservation & Erosion Control
AgriculturalDeep root systems of both grasses stabilize soil, prevent erosion on hillsides and stream banks, and improve soil structure and organic matter. Mixed stands maintain ground cover year-round, reducing runoff and improving water infiltration. [source]
Habitat for Grassland Wildlife
WildlifeThese cool-season grass stands provide nesting cover and food for upland birds (pheasants, quail, prairie warblers) and small mammals. The diverse seed production supports pollinators and beneficial insects. [source]
Pasture Productivity & Sustainability
AgriculturalPerennial stands eliminate annual tillage, reduce input costs, and build soil health over years. Mixed timothy-bromegrass creates stable, long-lived pastures (5-10+ year lifespan) with minimal chemical inputs when managed with proper rotational grazing and nutrient cycling. [source]
Nitrogen Cycling in Mixed Legume Stands
AgriculturalWhen timothy and bromegrass are interseeded with nitrogen-fixing legumes (clover, alfalfa), the system reduces synthetic fertilizer needs while building soil nitrogen, reducing input costs and environmental footprint. [source]
Harvest Tips
For HAY: Cut timothy at late boot to early heading (boot stage, ~50% head emergence) for maximum digestibility and yield balance—typically late May to early June in northern zones. Bromegrass peaks slightly later (early to mid-boot). Aim for 4-6 inch stubble height. Allow 3-7 days dry-down depending on weather before baling (target 15-20% moisture for square or round bales). For SEED: Allow full maturity (golden-brown heads, late July-August); use combine harvester or swather. For PASTURE: Graze to 2-3 inch height; allow 3-4 week recovery between rotations. Multiple harvests possible: first cut (hay) in June, second cut July (hay or green chop), aftermath grazing August-September. Spring growth from dormancy begins April-May in zone 5; monitor GDD (growing degree days) to time growth stages.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, an American farmer who popularized the grass in the Carolinas in the 1700s, though the grass was already cultivated in Europe for centuries.
- 🌱 Bromegrass seed can remain dormant in soil for several years, allowing it to establish in marginal years and re-seed stands after heavy grazing or disturbance.
- 🌱 A healthy timothy-bromegrass hay stand can produce 2-4 tons of dry matter per acre annually in zones 4-6, with excellent forage quality that horses and cattle prefer—some horses will selectively eat timothy over legume hay due to palatability.
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