Can I grow my own timothy hay?

Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep. Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.

Is timothy hay easy to grow?

It is hardy, and when cut for hay has a very low moisture content, making it more resilient to mold and rot when baled or stored. Timothy hay has a pleasing fragrance and good nutritional value. It is commonly mixed with other feedstocks. Growing timothy grass is straightforward and simple.

Can I make my own timothy hay?

For folks with only one or two rabbits to feed, all the hay you need could be produced by planting a mixture of oats, clover and Timothy grass in your garden. When the growth is rank and lush, you simply cut it with a machete, nonpowered weed whacker, sickle, or even a scythe if you happen to have one.

How long does it take for Timothy grass to grow?

Tip on Timothy Grass Growing

Timothy grass is generally sown in spring or summer. It takes 50 days to establish for harvesting in most climates. The best time to plant late crops is six weeks or more prior to the first fall frost, which gives the stand enough time to establish before cold weather.

Can I grow timothy hay for my rabbit?

If you have a bunny, you know Timothy Hay is delicious and essential to his well-being. Those little bags in the pet store are expensive (and the cute little bales are REALLY expensive). Your rabbit deserves the best and it's easy to grow. Timothy Hay is a grass.

DIY series #4 ~ Growing timothy grass for winter!

How do you grow Timothy grass for rabbits?

Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep. Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.

Is Timothy grass the same as Timothy hay?

Timothy Grass has a slightly higher protein and is greener in appearance. Timothy Hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass. Timothy Hay is high in fiber and low in protein which is a combination critical to the health of rabbits and other small animals.

What is the easiest hay to grow?

Alfalfa, clover and fescue grasses are popular hay types, as well as brome and timothy grasses. Oats and millet can also be useful for hay crops. The best hay to raise will depend not only on growing conditions, but also on the livestock that will eventually eat the hay and what their feed preferences may be.

When Should timothy be cut for hay?

1st cut Timothy is cut in June and July. It has a beautiful green color, has more stem and seed heads than the other cuts. It is high in fiber and is cut early so there is plenty of nutrition in the hay.

Can you grow Timothy grass inside?

Grow indoors right now with the Complete Micro Greens Growing Kit or the Micro Greens Seed Pack. Have a high nutrient vegetable garden on your windowsill this week! Timothy is ideally sown in late summer or spring.

What kind of grass is timothy hay?

Timothy hay (phleum pratense) also known as meadow cat's-tail, is a perennial grass hay used as feed for many animals from small pets to Triple Crown-winning racehorses. Native to much of Europe, an American colonial farmer is credited with being the first to cultivate the grass in North America in 1720.

How do I grow my own hay?

Can any grass make hay?

Hay can be made from many plants

Just about any grass left to grow long can make hay. However, certain varieties of grasses like timothy and orchard grass are usually used for hay because you get much more growth so more hay per acre than shorter more lawn type grasses.

What is the difference between Timothy hay and orchard grass?

Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition. Orchard grass is another cool-season grass; it grows in tufts and is more drought tolerant than Timothy hay. Orchard grass has a soft texture and is high in fibre and low in protein.

Can you broadcast timothy seed?

Seed should be drilled or broadcast into a weed free, firm seedbed. The optimum seeding depth is 0.3 to 1.3 cm (0.125 to 0.5 in).

How long can Timothy hay last?

If stored properly in a cool dark place with good ventilation, the Timothy Hay Food may keep for 6 months or longer.

How much does a ton of Timothy hay cost?

It is widely available in the United States and is a good choice of feed throughout the year. Depending on the type, quality, place of harvest, and size of hay bales, you should expect to pay something between $30 and $300 per ton of hay.

Will deer eat timothy grass?

Deer very rarely are attracted to or eat any pasture grasses such as timothy. I don't recommend planting timothy to attract deer. Alfalfa is very difficult to maintain.

What is the best cut of Timothy hay for rabbits?

Premium 2nd cut Timothy hay is preferred by most grass eating small animals (Bunnies, Rabbits, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, and Tortoises). 2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting.

Is it worth it to grow hay?

Points in favor of growing hay

You can save a lot of money compared to buying hay, assuming you already own the necessary equipment and storage space. Land that is not needed for crops can be put to good use. Haying prevents the establishment of woody plants that you would otherwise need to control in fallow fields.

What crop makes the best hay?

Grass: Hay can be made from many types of grass, with timothy, bermudagrass and orchardgrass being common choices. Legume: Alfalfa is the dominant member of the legume family when it comes to making hay, with clover another to consider and bird's-foot trefoil a popular choice for hayfields containing more moisture.

Which grass is most suitable for making hay?

Tall fescue, a perennial, combines well with legumes and can produce high-quality hay. Italian ryegrass, an annual or biennial, is very widely used for hay, but also for silage and pasture. Perennial ryegrass, a perennial, is a significant pasture and hay grass and frequently mixed with clover species.

How long does it take for timothy to germinate?

The germination time for timothy seeds is 7 to 14 days. Weedy grasses germinate much more quickly, and even cultivated grasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) can provide excessive competition for timothy seedlings.

Is timothy hay alfalfa?

Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are different nutritionally

Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1).

What is the difference between timothy hay and regular hay?

Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.