How to Grow Pasture and Hay Grasses
Pasture and Hay Grasses
Phleum pratense (Timothy), Dactylis glomerata (Orchardgrass), Bromus species (Bromegrass)
grassTimothy, orchardgrass, and bromegrass are cool-season perennial grasses widely used in pasture and hay mixtures for livestock feed. These grasses are valued for their nutritional content, palatability, and ability to establish productive stands that can last 3-5+ years. Together, they form the backbone of most temperate forage systems in North America and Europe.
When should you plant Pasture and Hay Grasses in your zone?
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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
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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 3-7 are ideal; timothy extends to zone 2; orchardgrass and bromegrass tolerate zones 2-8
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Get my Pasture and Hay Grasses timeline →Growth Stages
Germination and Seedling
7-21 daysSeeds germinate within 7-14 days. Tiny grass shoots emerge with initial leaf blades 1-2 inches tall. Root system developing shallow feeder roots.
Keep seedbed moist (not waterlogged) during germination. Avoid compaction and foot traffic. Provide protection from extreme heat/cold. No fertilizer needed at this stage if soil is adequate.
Establishment (Vegetative Growth)
3-8 weeksYoung plants develop 3-5 leaves and begin tillering (side shoot production). Height reaches 4-8 inches. Root system expands deeper into soil.
Keep soil consistently moist. Do not graze or harvest yet. Apply light nitrogen (10-15 lbs/acre) if growth is slow. Avoid herbicides during this sensitive period.
Early Grazing/Mowing Stage
2-4 weeksPlants reach 6-10 inches tall with established tiller density. Ready for first light grazing or cutting. Tiller production accelerates. Root system well-established.
First grazing should be light; do not graze below 2-3 inches. Remove livestock before plants are severely stressed. Can make first hay cut if growth is vigorous (timothy at boot stage, orchardgrass at heading stage).
Productive Growth (Vegetative to Reproductive)
4-8 weeksPlants mature to 12-24 inches depending on species. Timothy produces characteristic cylindrical seed heads; orchardgrass produces compact panicles; bromegrass produces open panicles. Peak nutritional quality for hay (pre-bloom to boot stage).
Manage grazing height at 2-4 inches depending on intensity. For hay, cut at boot to early bloom stage for maximum quality. Allow 3-4 week rest periods between grazing to promote regrowth. Apply nitrogen post-grazing (20-30 lbs/acre) to boost recovery.
Seed Production and Dormancy
3-6 weeks (seed maturity); then dormancySeed heads fully mature; timothy heads become brown; orchardgrass and bromegrass seed hardened. If not harvested for hay, plants may set seed or enter dormancy depending on season.
If preserving pasture productivity, prevent full seed maturity by grazing or cutting before seeds mature. Allow some seed production periodically to naturally reseed pasture. In fall, grasses store carbohydrates in roots for winter survival.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Scout for damage; grazing animals can help control populations; insecticides rarely economical; encourage natural predators
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Usually not a problem in well-managed pastures; population control through grazing management; chemical control only in severe outbreaks
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Manage through crop rotation; avoid planting timothy seed crops consecutively; early sowing can avoid peak fly emergence
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Avoid fields with history of ergot; do not allow infected seed heads to mature; remove affected material; practice crop rotation
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Improve air circulation; avoid excessive moisture; do not overgraze; promote plant vigor through proper fertilization; tolerant varieties available
Uses
Livestock Feed and Forage
CulinaryTimothy, orchardgrass, and bromegrass are premium feed for horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. Hay provides consistent nutrition year-round, while pasture grazing offers fresh forage. These grasses are highly palatable and digestible, especially when harvested at the boot stage. [source]
Nutritional Balance for Livestock Health
MedicinalThese grasses provide essential amino acids, fiber, and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) that support animal immune function, bone health, and metabolic function. Mixed with legumes, they create balanced protein-carbohydrate feed. [source]
Soil Improvement and Erosion Control
HouseholdDeep root systems of these perennial grasses stabilize soil, prevent erosion, improve water infiltration, and build soil organic matter. They create living mulch that suppresses weeds and reduces compaction. [source]
Habitat and Food for Wildlife
WildlifeThese grasses provide nesting cover and seed food for songbirds, grasshoppers, and other wildlife. Well-managed pastures support diverse insect populations and ground-nesting birds. [source]
Straw and Bedding Material
CraftGrass straw (timothy especially) is used for livestock bedding, animal litter, and mulching. It is absorbent, comfortable, and breaks down to enrich soil. [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: Cut timothy at boot to early heading stage (mid-June in northern zones); orchardgrass at heading stage; bromegrass at boot stage. Moisture should be 15-20% for storage. For pasture: Rotate grazing to maintain 2-4 inch stubble height; allow 3-4 week recovery between grazing cycles. Graze in early boot stage for maximum nutritional quality. Avoid overgrazing (never cut below 1.5 inches) which stresses plants and reduces stand persistence. For seed production (timothy only), harvest seed heads when brown and dry; thresh, clean, and store in cool, dry conditions.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Timothy grass is named after Timothy Hanson, an American farmer who popularized it in the 1700s as a superior hay crop—it became the 'gold standard' for horse hay and remains so today.
- 🌱 Orchardgrass grows faster and produces more tillers than timothy, allowing for more frequent grazing cycles (2-3 weeks vs. 3-4 weeks), making it ideal for high-intensity rotational grazing systems.
- 🌱 A single grass plant can produce 10-50+ tillers (side shoots) in one season, allowing a sparse seeding to fill in and create a dense, productive pasture within 1-2 years.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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