Nitrogen fertilization results in increased leaf area, leaf size, tillering, and crude protein content. However, high nitrogen applications, greater than 200 lb per acreper year, can reduce storage of energy reserves and reduce persistence. Apply 50 to 60 lb. of N per acre in the spring when the timothy greens up and additional applications of 50 lb. per acre after each cut. Application of other fertilizers should follow soil test recommendations. Timothy requires a high level of fertility for maximum production.
Potassium fertilizer is important to maximize the legume yield in a timothy-legume mixed stand.
Additional and more detailed information on forage fertilization is also available. Timothy Summary Timothy is well adapted to New York and Pennsylvania environments and soil conditions. It is winter hardy and offers little competition to a legume in the mixture. However, timothy is intolerant of cutting during jointing or early- heading. This intolerance makes harvest management for high quality in a alfalfa mixture difficult because the alfalfa will generally be ready to harvest before the timothy.