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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Timothy Grass
Gold standard horse hay grass. Low dust, consistent quality, premium price. Best in cool moist climates. Phleum pratense. USDA Zones 2-6.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The gold standard of horse hay. Timothy Grass produces the cleanest, most consistently high-quality hay of any cool-season grass, which is why it commands a premium price in the equine market. Its distinctive cylindrical seed head, low dust characteristics, and reliable nutritional profile have made it the preferred hay grass for horses across North America and beyond. Timothy excels in cool, moist northern climates but struggles with heat, drought, and close grazing—it's a hay-first grass that also provides good pasture when managed carefully.
Category
Grass
Type
Timothy Grass
Scientific Name
Phleum pratense
Zones
2-6
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The gold standard of horse hay. Timothy Grass produces the cleanest, most consistently high-quality hay of any cool-season grass, which is why it commands a premium price in the equine market. Its distinctive cylindrical seed head, low dust characteristics, and reliable nutritional profile have made it the preferred hay grass for horses across North America and beyond. Timothy excels in cool, moist northern climates but struggles with heat, drought, and close grazing—it's a hay-first grass that also provides good pasture when managed carefully.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Prep firm, weed-free bed; test pH (5.5-7.0)
Step 2
Apply P and K based on soil test
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Plant max 1/4" deep; firm with cultipacker
Step 5
Keep moist during establishment
Step 6
First harvest at early bloom; do not cut below 3"
Best For
Premium horse hay production|Mixed hay with red clover or alfalfa|Cool, moist northern climates (Zones 3-5)|Small animal hay (rabbits, guinea pigs)|Northern New England and Canadian hay operations|Situations where hay quality matters more than yield
FAQs
1.
What is reed canarygrass?
Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) is a cool-season perennial bunch grass that produces the highest-quality hay for horses in North America. Its thin stems, soft leaves, and consistent palatability make it the benchmark against which all other horse hays are measured. Timothy hay is lower in protein (8-12%) and energy than alfalfa, which is actually preferred for most horses—excess protein and calories cause metabolic issues. Timothy provides the fiber, chew time, and gut motility horses need without overfeeding nutrients.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Plant timothy in late summer (August-September) for best results, or in early spring (March-April). Late summer planting is strongly preferred—timothy establishes quickly in cool fall conditions and enters winter as a well-rooted stand. Spring plantings face weed competition and summer heat stress. Timothy germinates in 7-14 days at soil temperatures above 50°F. In zones 3-6, plant by mid-September to ensure 6-8 weeks of growth before freeze-up.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Seed timothy at 6-10 lbs per acre for pure stands, or 3-5 lbs per acre in mixes. For small areas, use approximately 0.25 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. Timothy has very small seed (approximately 1.2 million seeds per pound), so a little goes a long way. Plant 0.125-0.25 inches deep—do not bury timothy seed or germination drops dramatically. A firm seedbed followed by cultipacking after seeding ensures proper seed-to-soil contact.
4.
How many cuttings of timothy hay can you get per year?
Timothy typically produces 2 cuttings per year in USDA zones 3-6, with a potential third cutting in long-season areas (zones 5-6) during favorable years. First cutting is the heaviest (1.5-2.5 tons/acre) and should be harvested at early to mid-heading for horse hay quality. Second cutting yields 0.5-1.5 tons/acre and is typically leafier and higher quality. Total annual yield ranges from 2-4 tons per acre depending on fertility, moisture, and management.
5.
Can timothy grass be mixed with other species for pasture?
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
Does timothy tolerate heat and drought?
Timothy is the least heat-tolerant and least drought-tolerant of the major forage grasses. It goes dormant and may thin during prolonged heat above 85°F or drought conditions. In zones 6-7, timothy struggles through summer and is outperformed by orchardgrass and tall fescue. Timothy is best suited for cool, moist climates (zones 3-5) where summer heat stress is minimal. If you're in zone 6+, consider orchardgrass or tall fescue as the primary grass with timothy as a minor component.