Possibly the most important and flexible grass species which is used both environmentally and agriculturally. It is a very common species found in pasture throughout the UK. It retains its verdure longer than most grasses and although similar to smaller cats tail, it is larger in size with wider leaves and a longer spike like panicle.
Uses
Hay and late season grazing.
Persistence
Timothy is very persistent, usually outlasting other less permanent species like ryegrass in mixtures. However be aware that it can be slow in the first year of production.
Strengths
From an agricultural perspective Timothy is a very persistent and hardy grass, free of disease. The forage it produces is acceptable to most classes of stock. It will grow abundantly on heavy ground and, although it only has a shallow root structure, it still persists well on lighter land in dry years.
Sowing Rate Advice
8kg per acre / 20kg per ha. Timothy seed is very small, so sowing rates for a pure stand is lower than most species.
Ideal Sowing Time
It can be sown from spring until autumn, but a late autumn sowing will lead to a slow autumn establishment, be aware that this particularly small seed will not tolerate being sown to deeply.
How to sow grass seed, as recommended by The Royal Horticultural Society:
- Weigh out the correct quantity of seeds for the size of your new lawn – the weight per square metre will be given on the packet (it can vary depending on the seed mix)
- Then divide the seed into two equal batches.
- Sow half the seeds over the whole area by walking up and down in parallel rows, scattering the seed as evenly as you can.
- Repeat the process with the second batch of seeds, walking from side to side this time.
- Lightly rake over the sown area to cover the majority of the seeds with soil.
- If no rain is forecast for a few days, water gently with a light spray, ensuring the seeds aren’t dislodged.
- Protect the seeds from birds by covering with horticultural fleece, weighted down at the edges. This should also improve germination by keeping the soil warm and moist. On a larger scale, try using bird tape, which produces a humming noise as the wind vibrates it. Alternatively, increase the sowing rate by 50 per cent to compensate for losses.
- Water every few days, if necessary.
Germination and growth-
Successful germination relies on many important factors such as: weather conditions, soil type and quality, seed depth, planting time and growers skills. There are many things that can affect successful germination which are out of the control of Rural Supplies and as much as we will always try our best to make sure our seeds reach you in tip top condition, one you receive the seeds it is our of our hands what happens next. Therefore, by buying our products you understand that Rural Supplies takes no responsibility for any success or failures that you encounter whilst growing our seeds. Any opened/ used packs of seed will not be refunded or replaced if you have failed germination.