Timothy Grass Seed - 5 Lbs. (Hay & Pasture Seed)

Planting Rate: 10 - 15 Lbs. per Acre Overview: Timothy is a cool-climate bunchgrass that commonly reaches 2-4 feet in height and is grown mainly for hay. In Tennessee, summer droughts frequently reduce stands, and longevity of a stand is generally limited to about 3-4 years. It is particularly popular for horse hay, though orchardgrass and tall fescue are also used successfully. History: Brought from Europe by early settlers in hay, litter, manure and ship ballast, Timothy was observed in New Hampshire around 1711 and was originally called "herdsgrass." The name timothy dates from 1747, after which it became a widely adapted, high-quality hay species, spreading from New England into eastern Canada before 1800 and then westward with settlement. Plant Description: A rapidly developing, short-lived perennial bunchgrass, Timothy has shallow, fibrous roots extending downward to about 4 feet. Its crown is made up of bulb-like corms that produce a tuft of basal leaves and typically a single leafy stem of 20 to 40 inches terminating in a seed head. Leaves are soft, light green and 2 to 6 inches long. Each small seed is enclosed within an awned, urn-shaped husk. While individual shoots are often biennial, the plant persists as a perennial through new shoots emerging from the bases of older culms. Adaptation: Timothy establishes readily from volunteer seed and performs well in cooler, moister regions such as parts of Montana, especially on poorly drained alluvial soils. It tolerates soil acidity, spring flooding, and waterlogged conditions, making it suitable for low-lying peaty areas. It also grows on clay, silt and sandy soils where annual precipitation exceeds 15 inches per year. Timothy is winterhardy, persistent, relatively free of insect and disease problems, and can be grown across a broad range of soil and climate conditions, including elevations up to 9,000 feet. It can survive several weeks of winter flooding but only a few days of flooding during the growing season. Seedling vigor is good and stands usually establish quickly; the grass ranks high in productivity. Hay Use: Timothy is well-suited for hay production and is highly valued in the horse hay market. Its upright growth habit makes it easy to harvest, and a full yield is often attainable in the first production year after seeding. Because it grows in bunches, it is less competitive in mixtures with legumes and is ideal for alternate-row seeding with alsike and red clover, and in some cases with alfalfa. A major limitation is the rapid loss of quality (protein) if not harvested before bloom; planting with legumes and cutting early helps maintain protein levels. Though tolerant of lower fertility, fertilizer—particularly nitrogen—boosts both yield and protein. Timothy was long regarded as the standard horse hay: when cut at full bloom it provided high energy and low protein suitable for working animals, rarely lodged, and cured into bright, clean hay with minimal dust, mold, or waste. Pasture Use: Where it is adapted, Timothy is commonly used for pasture. It does not produce overly early spring growth, and both yield and palatability are high, with leafy shoots of excellent quality. However, like smooth bromegrass, most growth happens in early summer and tall shoots are easily overgrazed. Proper pasture rotation is essential, and a larger grazing area is usually required after mid-July to compensate for the decrease.