How to Grow Red Top
Wikimedia Commons
Red Top
Agrostis gigantea
grassRed Top is a perennial cool-season grass known for its fine texture and reddish-purple panicles that appear during flowering. It's commonly used in pasture mixes, hay production, and erosion control due to its adaptability and deep root system. The plant is valued for its tolerance of wet soils and poor drainage conditions.
When should you plant Red Top 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 Red Top timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red Top
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 Red Top
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Top dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-8, with best performance in cooler northern regions
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Germination
7-14 daysTiny seedlings with initial leaf emergence. Seeds germinate quickly in cool, moist conditions.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide light exposure for germination. Maintain cool temperatures (55-65°F ideal).
Seedling Establishment
3-4 weeksYoung plants developing their root system and producing 3-5 true leaves. Fine texture becoming visible.
Maintain moisture without causing fungal issues. Protect from heavy foot traffic. Light fertilizer with balanced NPK (10-10-10) can help.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksGrass tillers are developing, creating denser coverage. Plant height increases to 6-12 inches with fine, narrow leaf blades.
Mow when reaching 3-4 inches tall; remove no more than 1/3 of blade height per cutting. Continue regular watering. Light nitrogen applications promote tillering.
Flowering
3-4 weeksReddish-purple panicles (seed heads) emerge on stems 12-24 inches tall, creating the distinctive red appearance.
Cease nitrogen fertilization to discourage excessive vegetative growth during flowering. Reduce mowing if preserving for hay. Adequate moisture supports seed development.
Seed Maturation and Dormancy
4-8 weeksSeeds mature and develop full color. Plant enters dormancy period in late fall/winter in cooler zones.
Allow seed heads to mature if collecting seed. Reduce watering as plant naturally enters dormancy. Spring growth resumes as temperatures warm.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for damage; apply insecticidal soap or spinosad if populations warrant. Natural enemies like parasitic wasps help control populations.
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Less common in Red Top but possible in drier conditions. Use resistant varieties and maintain adequate moisture. Neem oil sprays if severe.
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Apply insecticides at larval stage if damage is significant. Maintain healthy plant vigor through proper water and nutrition.
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Improve drainage and air circulation. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization. Apply fungicides if severe. Reduce thatch buildup.
Uses
Livestock Feed
CulinaryRed Top is widely used in pasture mixes and hay production for cattle, sheep, and horses. It provides good nutritional value and palatability when harvested at appropriate growth stages. [source]
Erosion Control and Soil Stabilization
HouseholdThe deep root system and quick establishment make Red Top excellent for stabilizing embankments, stream banks, and erosion-prone areas. It's commonly used in reclamation projects and conservation areas. [source]
Habitat and Wildlife Food
WildlifeRed Top provides cover and food sources for wildlife including birds, insects, and small mammals. The seed heads are nutritious for granivorous birds. [source]
Turf and Ornamental Uses
HouseholdWhile not commonly used for fine turf in lawns, Red Top can be part of shade-tolerant grass mixes and is valued for its fine texture and disease resistance in certain climate zones. [source]
Decorative Dried Arrangements
CraftThe distinctive reddish-purple panicles are attractive in dried flower arrangements and can be harvested for decorative purposes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Red Top is typically harvested as hay or pasture forage, not as a seed crop for most growers. For hay: cut at boot stage or early flower for best nutritional value. For seed production: allow plants to fully mature, then cut and dry before threshing. Pasture grazing should begin when plants reach 3-4 inches and be rotated before grazing below 1 inch.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Top gets its common name from the distinctive reddish-purple color of its seed panicles, which appear during flowering and give the plant its most striking appearance.
- 🌱 Despite being called 'Red Top,' it's also known as Herd's Grass and was historically one of the most important pasture grasses in North American agriculture before more modern cultivars were developed.
- 🌱 Red Top has an exceptional ability to thrive in wet, waterlogged soils where many other grasses struggle, making it invaluable for poorly drained agricultural land and wetland restoration projects.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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