Characteristics of Timothy Grass Hay

Features

• Timothy is a perennial bunchgrass which stores nutrients in a bulblike corm at the stem base. Its shallow root system extends only a few inches below the soil surface. Its green basal leaves, which measure up to 4 to 8 inches long, surround a single 2- to 3-foot long stem. Its cylindrical seed head grows up to 5 inches long. According to the Montana State University Extension Service, timothy's nutrient content and erect, easily harvested growth habit make it a popular choice for horse hay.

Soil Requirements

• Timothy grows in a variety of soil types, from clay to sandy and tolerates soaked soil after a spring flooding. However, it prefers well-drained, moist, fertile soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. According to the Washington State University Extension, a fall or early spring application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) will help ensure a marketable first hay cutting. Your local county extension office can help you test the soil for nutrient content and pH level.

Time Frame

• Timothy, which is a cool season grass, establishes best after fall seeding. Proper growing conditions should produce a full yield during the subsequent year. Fall fertilizing encourages fall and spring root production and helps the grass survive summer drought. The Washington State University Extension notes that a drought may cause the grass to develop more rapidly than usual in a spring following a drought, resulting in an early first cutting.

Benefits

• Timothy grass establishes quickly and is relatively pest and disease-free. When mixed with other grasses, its shallow root system makes it less competitive with other plants for soil nutrients. The Montana State University Extension Service states that at full bloom, timothy hay contains optimal protein levels for horses. Adapted to a wide range of climates, it thrives in the northern United States and southern Canada at altitudes up to 9,000 feet.

Considerations

• To avoid weakening the plants, do not harvest timothy during the crucial growth period, two weeks before the seed heads appear. Due to its shallow root system, timothy may produce a lower first cutting yield after prolonged drought or summer flooding. After a drought, timothy hay accumulates nitrates, which are harmful to animals; test drought-stressed hay for nitrate content. Timothy pollen is highly allergenic and causes hay fever symptoms in some people.