How to Grow Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass)
Wikimedia Commons
Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass)
Phleum pratense, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus species
grassA forage grass mixture combining cool-season perennial grasses commonly used for hay production, pasture, and erosion control. Timothy provides high-quality nutritious hay, orchardgrass offers early spring growth and drought tolerance, and bromegrass contributes persistence and late-season productivity. These grasses are typically seeded together in agricultural settings to optimize forage yield and quality throughout the growing season.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass)
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass)
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-7, with best performance in northern temperate climates (zones 4-6)
Sign up free to see if Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksGrass seeds germinate within 7-14 days under moist conditions. Tiny grass shoots emerge with fine root systems developing. Young plants are delicate with 2-3 leaves visible.
Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Avoid grazing or cutting for 6-8 weeks. Protect from competing weeds with light rolling or delayed first cutting. Ensure good seed-soil contact.
Establishment & Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksGrass plants develop deeper root systems and fuller leaf area. Plants tiller (branch at base), creating multiple shoots per seed. Height reaches 6-12 inches by late spring.
Light nitrogen application (20-30 lbs/acre) to encourage tillering. Allow 6-8 weeks before first cutting. Monitor for weed competition. Good moisture critical for root establishment.
Boot to Heading
2-3 weeksFlower heads begin to emerge from leaf sheaths (boot stage) and then extend into visible inflorescences. Timothy forms distinctive cylindrical heads; orchardgrass shows clustered panicles; bromegrass displays awned spikelets. Plant height 24-36+ inches.
This is optimal time for first/primary hay cut for highest quality (timothy heading stage is ideal). Grasses are at peak nutritive value before seed maturity. Monitor moisture as flowering demands water. Avoid cutting too early—wait for timothy to fully head.
Flowering & Seed Development
2-3 weeksFull flower head emergence with pollen shed and seed development. Stem elongation is complete; leaves begin to senesce. Regrowth shoots emerge at base for second cutting.
If harvesting for seed, allow full maturity. For forage quality, cut now or slightly before full bloom. Second cutting occurs 30-40 days after first cut. Apply light nitrogen (15-20 lbs/acre) after first harvest to boost regrowth.
Maturity & Dormancy
6-8 weeks (dormancy extends through winter)Seeds mature and harden; stems become woody and fibrous. By late summer/fall, plants slow growth and enter dormancy as temperatures cool and day length shortens. Winter dormancy protects perennial crowns.
Allow adequate regrowth (6-8 inches) before winter for winter survival and spring vigor. Fall harvest must be limited to avoid winter kill. In spring, remove dead material and monitor for disease. Perennial stands can persist 5-7+ years with good management.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Scouting for economic threshold; mowing at susceptible stage removes larvae; insecticidal treatment if infestation severe; natural predators
-
Maintain adequate moisture and fertility; mowing or grazing to remove preferred habitat; insecticide only if severe
-
Early cutting removes eggs and reduces breeding; insecticide application for severe infestations; maintain stand vigor
-
Avoid early spring seeding; seed in late spring or fall to miss peak adult activity; resistant varieties where available
-
and
(Puccinia graminis)
Choose resistant varieties; ensure good air circulation; remove infected debris; avoid high-nitrogen over-fertilization
-
Remove ergot sclerotia before planting; avoid extremely wet springs; good crop rotation; harvest before spores mature
Uses
Premium Livestock Feed
CulinaryTimothy hay is highly valued for horses, especially for respiratory health and digestive balance. Mixed grass hays provide balanced nutrition for cattle, sheep, and goats. High-quality hay harvested at boot stage contains optimal protein (8-11%) and digestible energy. [source]
Pasture and Grazing Management
HouseholdThese grass mixtures establish productive pastures that extend grazing season from spring through fall. Orchardgrass and bromegrass provide persistent, palatable forage throughout the growing season. Rotational grazing systems benefit from the multi-species composition. [source]
Erosion Control and Soil Conservation
HouseholdThe deep root systems of timothy, orchardgrass, and bromegrass stabilize soil and reduce erosion on slopes and waterways. These grasses are recommended for streambank stabilization and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plantings. [source]
Wildlife Habitat and Food
WildlifeMixed grass stands provide nesting cover and food sources for game birds (pheasants, quail) and beneficial insects. Late-season seed heads supply wildlife food through fall and winter. Structural diversity supports diverse wildlife communities. [source]
Traditional Herbal and Nutritional Use
MedicinalTimothy grass contains silica and other minerals beneficial for joint and connective tissue health. Grass juice from young timothy shoots is used in some traditional herbalism practices. Well-cured hay provides essential mineral supplementation for livestock. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
First cutting: Harvest when timothy is in heading to early anthesis stage (boot to full head emergence) for maximum forage quality—approximately 4-6 weeks after spring green-up. Cut at 2-3 inches height to preserve crown and regrowth nodes. Orchardgrass matures earlier, so monitor carefully. Subsequent cuttings: Every 30-45 days depending on moisture and temperature; allow 3-4 inches regrowth for winter survival if fall cutting. Hay should be dried to 15-20% moisture before baling to prevent mold. Cure in the windrow 2-3 days in good weather; use tedder to accelerate drying. Best quality hay is achieved with first cutting at appropriate stage; second and third cuttings are leafier but may lack the density of first cut.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, an 18th-century American farmer who promoted its cultivation in the Carolinas, though it originated in Europe as a meadow grass.
- 🌱 Orchardgrass (also called cocksfoot) earned its name because it was traditionally grown in orchard understorey to provide forage without shading fruit trees.
- 🌱 A single timothy plant can produce 2,000+ seeds, and established stands can persist for 5-10+ years, making them highly reliable agricultural investments compared to annual grasses.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Hay Grass Mixture (Timothy, Orchardgrass, Bromegrass) timeline →