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How to Grow Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy)

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Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy)

Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Phleum pratense

grass

These cool-season perennial grasses are the backbone of pasture and hay production systems. Orchardgrass, tall fescue, and timothy each offer unique nutritional profiles and growing characteristics, and are commonly blended together to create balanced pasture mixtures that provide year-round forage for livestock. Together they deliver high-quality nutrition, drought tolerance, and persistence across diverse climates.

Looking for a specific variety?

Timothy: Climax, Orca, Derby Orchardgrass: Latar, Baridana, Trical Tall Fescue: MaxQ, Millennium, Demeter

When should you plant Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy) in your zone?

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Example Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy)

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pasture Grasses (Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Timothy) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; orchardgrass tolerates partial shade better than timothy or tall fescue
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Water: Moderate; establish deep watering (1-1.5 inches weekly during first 4-6 weeks). Tall fescue and orchardgrass are more drought-tolerant once established; timothy requires more consistent moisture. In pasture systems, rainfall is typically sufficient in cool seasons; irrigation may be needed during summer dry spells.
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Spacing: Broadcast or drill at 15-20 lbs per acre for single-species stands; mixture ratios are typically 60% timothy or orchardgrass + 40% tall fescue (or other combinations depending on goals) inches
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Days to maturity: Germination 7-14 days; usable grazing in 6-8 weeks from spring seeding; full establishment 1-2 years
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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches; shallow planting critical for small seeds; press-wheel or roller improves seed-soil contact

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy or clay-loam soil; tolerates a range of soil types but prefers fertile, stable bases
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Lime to raise pH if acidic Phosphorus and potassium for establishment Compost or aged manure to boost fertility Avoid excessive nitrogen pre-planting; apply post-emergence

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 3-8; cool-season grasses excel in northern and upper-middle regions, with tall fescue extending adaptability into zone 8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Emergence

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 1-2 leaf blades emerging from soil; grass shoots pale green and threadlike

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; protect from grazing and heavy traffic for 4-6 weeks. Avoid fertilizer until emergence.

2

Establishment (Vegetative)

4-8 weeks

Seedlings develop root systems and tillering begins; plants reach 3-6 inches in height with multiple shoots per plant

Light grazing or cutting (if used as hay) can encourage tillering; keep soil moisture consistent. Apply nitrogen sparingly; wait until tillers are visible.

3

Active Growth (Spring/Fall)

8-12 weeks per season

Rapid stem and leaf elongation; dense sward forms with vigor; boot stage begins in late spring

Manage grazing to maintain 3-4 inch residual height; rotational grazing optimizes both animal nutrition and plant recovery. Top-dress with nitrogen 2-3 times per year.

4

Heading (Reproductive)

2-3 weeks

Seed heads emerge (timothy develops distinctive cylindrical heads; orchardgrass forms loose panicles; tall fescue produces open heads)

For hay, cut at boot or early heading for highest digestibility. For pasture, graze before heading to maintain forage quality and prevent coarseness.

5

Seed Maturity & Dormancy

Varies; dormancy 6-8 weeks in high heat; regrowth in fall

Seeds ripen and dry; plants enter summer dormancy or slow growth; fall regrowth begins post-dormancy

If harvesting for seed, allow full maturity; otherwise prevent seed drop by grazing/cutting. Rest pastures in late summer; implement rotational grazing.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Legumes (alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil) - fixes nitrogen and improves forage protein White clover - low-growing, improves palatability Red clover - taller, boosts nutritional content Birdsfoot trefoil - drought-tolerant legume for mixed swards

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive broadleaf perennials (dock, thistle) - compete for resources Bindweed - difficult to control in grass swards Dense shade from trees - reduces grass vigor

Common Pests

  • Scout regularly; grazing management and timely cutting reduce populations. Biological controls (parasitoids, fungi) effective in low-intensity systems. Insecticides if threshold exceeded (economic damage).

  • More common in drought stress; maintain consistent moisture. Mowing/grazing management improves plant vigor. Insecticidal soap for severe infestations.

  • Minimal management needed in most systems. Early heavy grazing or cutting disrupts life cycle. Rarely requires treatment.

  • Choose disease-resistant varieties. Avoid overfeeding nitrogen. Ensure proper drainage. Rotational grazing and cutting practices reduce spore load.

  • More problematic in wet springs. Reduce irrigation; encourage natural predators (ground beetles, carabids). Copper-based baits if severe.

Uses

🍳

Livestock Forage & Nutrition

Culinary

These grasses provide balanced, high-quality nutrition for cattle, sheep, horses, and goats. Orchardgrass and timothy are prized for hay due to high digestibility; tall fescue supports year-round grazing with strong summer persistence. [source]

🍳

Dairy and Meat Production

Culinary

Legume-grass mixtures optimize milk fat and protein in dairy herds. Timothy hay commands premium prices in the equine market due to low oxalates and balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio. [source]

🏠

Soil Conservation & Erosion Control

Household

Deep root systems stabilize slopes and prevent erosion; improve soil structure and water infiltration. Used in buffers, riparian zones, and mine reclamation. [source]

🎨

Seed Production

Craft

Timothy, orchardgrass, and tall fescue seeds are commercially harvested and sold for reseeding pastures, reclamation, and turf applications. Seed production is a specialized enterprise. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Habitat & Game Management

Wildlife

Dense, diverse swards provide nesting cover for grassland birds (meadowlarks, bobolinks) and feeding habitat for pollinators and small mammals. Mixed-grass pastures increase biodiversity. [source]

Harvest Tips

For pasture: Implement rotational grazing; graze when grass reaches 3-4 inches, leave 2-3 inch residual. Graze before heading for best nutrition. For hay: Cut at boot or early heading stage (timothy and orchardgrass at anthesis, tall fescue slightly earlier) for maximum digestibility and protein. Typical first cut late May–early June; second cut in mid-summer; third cut late August–September depending on region and rainfall. Dry hay to 15-20% moisture before baling. Proper timing and residual management ensure persistence and multi-year productivity.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, an 18th-century American farmer who promoted its cultivation; it is one of the most widely used hay grasses in North America and remains the gold standard for equine hay.
  • 🌱 Orchardgrass (cocksfoot) was historically planted in orchards to provide shade and forage without competing aggressively with fruit trees, hence its common name.
  • 🌱 Tall fescue has novel endophyte-infected and non-infected cultivars; endophyte-infected varieties are more pest and drought-resistant but can cause 'fescue toxicosis' in livestock if infected with toxic strains, while novel endophytes offer benefits without toxicity.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial
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