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Pruning guide · Grass-like plant
Timothy: when and how to prune
Phleum pratense
Timothy is best pruned in July and September.
| Pruning months | July and September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Timothy: when to prune it?
First cut from mid-July, second cut in September.
Timothy: how to prune it?
- Cut with a scythe, brush cutter or bar mower at 5–10 cm.
- Let the hay dry on the ground for a few days, turn it and then remove it.
- Leave a strip standing until the following year: the stems and tufts are winter quarters for insects.
- In a lawn that you rarely mow, you can leave an island of uncut grass where timothy can come into flower.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: July and September. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Before cutting, check the long grass for hedgehogs, toads or young birds, and cut from the centre outwards so that animals can escape.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.