Timothy Grass — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Phleum pratense |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 10–18.3 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–70 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 5.1–10.2 |
| Mature height (cm) | 61–101.6 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 10.2–20.3 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–7 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Broadcast or drill seed shallowly into a firm seedbed in late summer through early fall, or early spring in the coldest zones, since timothy establishes slowly and does poorly on droughty ground. It is the classic cool, humid-region hay and pasture grass, prized for palatability and curing quality and often seeded alongside red clover or alfalfa for a balanced hay mix. As a shallow-rooted bunchgrass it also works as a temporary cover crop between vegetable rotations, suppressing weeds and adding fibrous organic matter without becoming invasive. Mow or graze before full head emergence for the best forage quality and to encourage a thick, persistent stand.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · timothy-grass-cover
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0