How to Grow Pasture and Hay Grasses
Pasture and Hay Grasses
Phleum pratense (Timothy), Dactylis glomerata (Orchard Grass), Bromus species (Bromegrass)
grassTimothy, orchard grass, and bromegrass are cool-season perennial forage grasses widely used in pasture and hay mixtures for livestock feed. These hardy grasses establish quickly, provide nutritious forage, and are adapted to temperate climates with good persistence and regrowth potential. They are often blended together to maximize yield, palatability, and nutritional value across seasons.
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Example Pasture and Hay Grasses timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pasture and Hay Grasses
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 Pasture and Hay Grasses
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pasture and Hay Grasses dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-7 are ideal; timothy thrives in cooler zones 3-6, orchard grass performs well in zones 4-8, and bromegrass excels in zones 3-7
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Get my Pasture and Hay Grasses timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-4 weeksFine, hair-like cotyledons emerge; plants develop 2-4 true leaves and shallow root systems
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid grazing or cutting during first 6 weeks. Protect from heavy foot traffic. Control weeds that compete for moisture and nutrients.
Establishment & Tillering
4-8 weeksPlants develop multiple shoots (tillers) from the crown, creating a dense basal structure; leaves become wider and darker green
Maintain adequate soil moisture. Light grazing (2-3 inches height) may stimulate tillering but avoid overuse. Apply nitrogen fertilizer after first grazing. Monitor for weeds and invasive species.
Vegetative Growth
6-12 weeks depending on season and managementRapid stem and leaf elongation; plants reach 12-24 inches tall depending on species and conditions; lush, dense canopy
Graze or cut at boot stage (before seed head emergence) for best forage quality and palatability. Remove no more than 50% of above-ground biomass. Apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote regrowth after harvest.
Heading & Seed Production
3-4 weeks from head emergence to seed maturitySeed heads emerge and mature; Timothy forms distinctive cylindrical seed heads, orchard grass forms dense clusters, bromegrass produces open panicles; forage quality declines
Harvest for hay before seed heads fully mature to preserve nutritional content. If allowing seed production, cease grazing and maintain plants for 8-10 weeks until seed maturity. Avoid burning if you want seed to mature.
Dormancy & Regrowth
3-5 monthsAfter harvest or frost, plants enter dormancy with minimal above-ground growth; perennial roots and crown remain viable for regrowth in spring
Allow adequate stubble height (2-3 inches) for winter protection and spring regrowth. Avoid late-season heavy grazing that removes protective cover. Apply manure or compost in fall for spring nutrition. Spring nitrogen application promotes rapid regrowth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for damage and defoliation; mow affected areas early to remove larvae; encourage natural predators; chemical control only if economic threshold exceeded (20-30% defoliation)
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Maintain vigorous stand through proper fertilization and irrigation; monitor margins of fields; apply insecticide if severe damage occurs; avoid excessive nitrogen that reduces plant hardiness
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Maintain adequate soil moisture; increase stubble height; apply sulfur dust if populations escalate; encourage beneficial predatory mites
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Remove infested seedlings if caught early; maintain vigor of stand; delayed spring seeding reduces populations; generally manageable without intervention
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Monitor during summer; native grasshoppers rarely cause economic loss; chemical control only if extreme populations; encourage ground-nesting birds
Uses
Livestock Feed & Forage
CulinaryThese grasses are the foundation of animal nutrition for cattle, horses, sheep, and goats, providing essential carbohydrates, fiber, and some protein. High-quality hay and pasture from well-managed grass mixtures improves milk production, weight gain, and overall herd health. [source]
Hay & Stored Feed
HouseholdHarvested and dried grass provides winter livestock feed when fresh pasture is unavailable. Properly cured hay retains nutritional content and stores for months to years, making it essential for year-round animal management. [source]
Soil Improvement & Erosion Control
HouseholdDense grass stands hold soil in place, prevent erosion on slopes, improve soil structure, and increase organic matter content through root systems and residue decomposition. Perennial grasses are superior to annuals for long-term soil health. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
WildlifeDiverse grass mixtures provide nesting sites, food sources, and shelter for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Well-managed pastures support wildlife populations that control pests and enhance ecosystem function. [source]
Nutritional & Health Value
MedicinalForage grasses contain essential minerals (potassium, magnesium), vitamins, and bioactive compounds that improve animal metabolism and immune function. High-quality grass-fed products contain higher omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For hay: Harvest timothy at boot to early bloom stage (10-14 days after seeding); orchard grass at 50% anthesis; bromegrass at boot stage. Optimal crude protein is 12-16% for timothy, 14-18% for legume-grass mixtures. For pasture: Graze at 4-6 inches height, remove to 2-3 inches; allow 3-4 week recovery between grazing cycles in growing season. Make first cutting in late spring/early summer, subsequent cuttings every 4-6 weeks. Weather-dependent: Hay must dry to 15-20% moisture before baling (3-5 days in good weather). Bromegrass and orchard grass tolerate closer grazing (1-2 inches) than timothy.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, an 18th-century American farmer who promoted the grass in the Carolinas; it became a standard forage crop across North America.
- 🌱 Orchard grass is also called cock's-foot grass because of its distinctive, comb-like seed head arrangement that resembles a rooster's foot; it's particularly popular in UK pastures.
- 🌱 A single tiller (shoot) of timothy can produce 500+ seed heads in a single growing season, and a mature pasture contains millions of tillers—explaining how these grasses can regenerate after repeated harvesting or grazing.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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