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How to Grow Timothy and Bromegrass

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Timothy and Bromegrass

Phleum pratense (Timothy) / Bromus species (Bromegrass)

grass

Timothy and bromegrass are cool-season perennial grasses widely used in mixed hay stands for livestock feed. Timothy is known for its fine texture and high palatability, while bromegrass offers excellent drought tolerance and persistence. Together, they create nutritious, productive pasture and hay systems.

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Example Timothy and Bromegrass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Timothy and Bromegrass

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Timothy and Bromegrass

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Timothy and Bromegrass dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade but yields decrease
💧
Water: Moderate moisture; timothy prefers consistent moisture, bromegrass more drought-tolerant once established. Avoid waterlogging. Approximately 15-25 inches annual rainfall needed; supplement during dry periods.
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Spacing: Broadcast seeding typical; seed density 8-12 lbs/acre timothy, 14-20 lbs/acre bromegrass in mixed stands inches
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Days to maturity: Established stands ready for harvest/grazing in 60-90 days after spring green-up; full productivity in year 2+
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Planting depth: Surface to 0.25 inches (very shallow); press into soil firmly for seed-to-soil contact

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay loam soil; tolerates poor soils but performs best in fertile conditions
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Lime (if pH below 6.0) Balanced fertilizer (N-P-K) Compost or well-rotted manure for organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-7; timothy prefers cooler regions (3-6), bromegrass extends into warmer zones (4-8)

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

3-4 weeks

Seeds germinate in 7-14 days with adequate moisture. Seedlings develop fine, grass-like leaves and shallow root systems.

Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Avoid grazing first year. Delay mowing until plants are 6+ inches tall.

2

Vegetative Growth & Tiller Development

4-8 weeks in spring; ongoing fall growth

Plants produce multiple shoots (tillers) from each seed, creating dense clumps. Rapid leaf growth in spring and fall.

Apply balanced nitrogen fertilizer in spring (40-60 lbs N/acre). Monitor for weeds and remove competitively. Keep soil moist.

3

Stem Elongation & Boot Stage

2-3 weeks

Stems extend rapidly; timothy develops characteristic seed head spike within leaf sheath; bromegrass shows panicle emergence.

This is the optimal harvest window for highest nutritive value (boot to early heading). Fertilize if needed for later cuttings.

4

Heading & Flowering

1-2 weeks

Timothy produces dense cylindrical seed head; bromegrass shows open panicle. Nutritional value declines as fiber content increases.

Delay harvest past this stage only if seed production is desired. For hay, harvest before or at early heading for quality.

5

Seed Maturation & Dormancy/Regrowth

2-3 weeks maturation; 4-6 weeks to regrowth for next cutting

Seeds mature and harden; plant energy shifts to root storage. Fall growth begins if moisture and temperature favorable.

If harvesting for seed, allow full maturation. For hay stands, second/third cuttings regrow from basal buds. Rest after harvest.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Legumes (alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil) Orchardgrass (in cooler zones) Perennial ryegrass (short-term) Meadow fescue

Avoid planting near:

Annual grasses that outcompete perennials Highly competitive weeds (bindweed, quackgrass, Canada thistle) Legumes only if nitrogen-fixation role unwanted

Common Pests

  • Monitor for defoliation; mow infected stands if economic threshold met; biological controls (parasitoid wasps); rarely requires insecticide.

  • Maintain stand health and density; habitat management; insecticides only in severe outbreaks.

  • More common in stressed stands; ensure adequate moisture and fertility; insecticide as last resort.

  • Primarily affects seed production; remove infected seed heads; rotate paddocks; use disease-resistant varieties if available.

  • Promote air circulation; avoid overhead irrigation; remove debris; resistant varieties recommended for persistent problems.

Uses

🍳

Livestock Hay & Pasture Feed

Culinary

Timothy and bromegrass are primary forage crops for horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, prized for digestibility, palatability, and essential nutrients. Mixed stands balance timothy's fine quality with bromegrass's persistence. [source]

💊

Livestock Nutritional Support

Medicinal

High in fiber and minerals; timothy hay specifically supports equine dental health through natural chewing action. Bromegrass adds protein and minerals. [source]

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Mulch & Bedding

Household

Dried hay used as livestock bedding and mulch material; reduces mud and provides thermal insulation for animals and soil. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Habitat & Forage

Wildlife

Grassland stands provide cover and seed for birds, pollinators, and small mammals; supports biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. [source]

🎨

Erosion Control & Soil Conservation

Craft

Deep root systems stabilize soil, reduce runoff, and prevent erosion on slopes and degraded pastures. Improves soil structure and water infiltration. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest timothy and bromegrass at boot to early heading stage for best nutritive value (typically mid-May to early June in northern regions). Cut 2.5-3.5 inches above ground. Regrowth for second/third cuttings depends on moisture and temperature; typically 4-6 weeks between harvests. For livestock feed, bale when moisture is 15-20% (typically 2-3 days after cutting in dry weather). Seed crops harvested at full maturity; combine when seed moisture drops to 12-15%.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, a colonial farmer who popularized it in the 1700s, not after the biblical figure Timothy.
  • 🌱 Bromegrass can remain productive for 20+ years in well-managed stands, making it an economical long-term investment for hay and pasture.
  • 🌱 Mixed timothy-bromegrass stands were developed to combine timothy's palatability and fine quality with bromegrass's drought tolerance and persistence, creating stable, productive systems in marginal climates.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Full Sun Partial Shade Perennial
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