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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Orchardgrass
Fastest-recovering forage grass for rotational grazing and multi-cut hay. Shade tolerant, high yielding. Dactylis glomerata. USDA Zones 3-8.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The fastest-recovering forage grass after cutting or grazing. Orchardgrass bounces back aggressively, making it the top choice for intensive rotational grazing and multi-cut hay systems. It's one of the few forage grasses with genuine shade tolerance, thriving under orchard canopies (hence the name) and along woodland edges. Higher yielding than timothy and faster-recovering than bromegrass, Orchardgrass is the production-oriented choice for New England hay and pasture operations.
Category
Grass
Type
Orchardgrass
Scientific Name
Dactylis glomerata
Zones
3-8
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The fastest-recovering forage grass after cutting or grazing. Orchardgrass bounces back aggressively, making it the top choice for intensive rotational grazing and multi-cut hay systems. It's one of the few forage grasses with genuine shade tolerance, thriving under orchard canopies (hence the name) and along woodland edges. Higher yielding than timothy and faster-recovering than bromegrass, Orchardgrass is the production-oriented choice for New England hay and pasture operations.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Prep firm bed or frost-seed into sod
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer (P and K important)
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Plant max 1/4" deep; firm seedbed
Step 5
Keep moist during germination
Step 6
First harvest at boot stage; rest between grazing
Best For
Intensive rotational grazing systems|Multi-cut hay production|Shaded pastures and orchard understory|Pairing with alfalfa or clover in mixed stands|Properties where rapid regrowth after grazing matters|Zones 4-7 hay and pasture operations|Silvopasture systems (grazing under trees)
FAQs
1.
What is Poa trivialis?
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), also called cocksfoot, is a fast-establishing, high-yielding cool-season perennial bunch grass used for hay, pasture, and silage. It is one of the most productive and versatile forage grasses in the northeast and upper Midwest. Orchardgrass matures earlier in spring than timothy or bromegrass, providing earlier grazing. Its bunch-type growth habit creates an open sod that pairs well with legumes like alfalfa, red clover, and white clover.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Orchardgrass is the most shade-tolerant of the common cool-season forage grasses. It maintains productive growth with as little as 40-50% of full sunlight, making it the best grass choice for pastures with scattered trees, woodlot edges, and silvopasture systems (managed tree-pasture combinations). Timothy, bromegrass, and perennial ryegrass all produce significantly less forage under shade than orchardgrass. For shaded pastures, pair orchardgrass with white clover and chicory.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Plant orchardgrass in late summer (August-September) for optimal establishment, or in spring (April-May). Late summer planting takes advantage of warm soil, reduced weed pressure, and fall moisture. Orchardgrass germinates in 7-14 days at soil temperatures above 50°F and establishes faster than most forage grasses. In zones 4-6, plant by mid-September to allow 6-8 weeks of growth before frost. Spring plantings are viable but typically produce less forage in the first year.
4.
What is the seeding rate for orchardgrass?
Seed orchardgrass at 10-15 lbs per acre for pure stands, or 4-6 lbs per acre in mixes with legumes. For small areas, use approximately 0.25-0.5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Plant 0.25-0.5 inches deep. Orchardgrass seed is light and chaffy—use equipment with agitators or mix seed with a granular carrier for uniform distribution. In alfalfa-orchardgrass mixes, use 12-15 lbs alfalfa + 4-6 lbs orchardgrass per acre.
5.
How does orchardgrass compare to timothy for hay?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What USDA zones does orchardgrass grow in?
Orchardgrass thrives in USDA zones 4-7 and performs adequately in zone 3 with proper variety selection. It is less winter-hardy than timothy, bromegrass, or meadow fescue—in zone 3, orchardgrass may thin during severe winters. It tolerates summer heat better than timothy, maintaining production into mid-summer before slowing. For zones 3-4, pair orchardgrass with timothy or meadow fescue as insurance against winter injury.