What is RTF®?

The Patented Rhizomatous Tall Fescue That Repairs Itself

Most tall fescues grow as individual bunch-type plants. While they're known for drought tolerance and durability, they have little ability to repair damaged turf on their own.

Developed by Barenbrug more than 20 years ago, RTF^® (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue) changed that. Protected by a utility patent, RTF^® produces true rhizomes that spread beneath the soil surface, allowing turf to naturally fill in damaged areas while maintaining the exceptional drought tolerance, wear resistance, and turf quality that make tall fescue one of the world's most popular cool-season grasses.

Golf course fairway using rhizomatous tall fescue fescue under the warm glow of a sunset's light

Why Use RTF^® Technology?

Whether you're managing a lawn, golf course, sports field, park, or commercial landscape, damaged turf is inevitable.

RTF^® combines the deep-rooted resilience of elite tall fescue with patented rhizome technology that helps turf repair itself. The result is a dense, durable turf that requires less irrigation, naturally discourages weeds, and maintains excellent performance in both sun and shade.

How RTF^® Works

Unlike traditional tall fescue, RTF^® actively repairs damaged turf.

RTF^®establishes a deep, drought-tolerant root system.
True rhizomes develop beneath the soil surface.
The rhizomes spread outward underground.
New tillers emerge several inches away from the original plant.
Damaged and bare areas gradually fill in with new turf, improving density and long-term performance.

Closeup of rhizomes shooting from a grass seed plant root system

The Difference is True Rhizomes

A rhizome is an underground horizontal stem that produces new shoots and roots away from the original plant.

Unlike many tall fescues that claim spreading characteristics but produce very few short tillers, RTF^® develops true rhizomes that create new plants several inches from the mother plant. This allows damaged areas to recover naturally while maintaining a dense, uniform turf stand.

Barenbrug's patented RTF^® technology consistently produces superior rhizome activity, making it one of the most effective self-repairing tall fescue technologies available.

Why RTF^® Is Different Than Other Tall Fescues

Traditional tall fescues provide excellent drought tolerance but recover slowly because individual plants remain isolated.

RTF^® creates an interconnected turf system through true rhizomes, allowing damaged areas to naturally fill in while maintaining the deep roots, fine texture, and exceptional turf quality expected from premium tall fescue.

The result is a lawn or sports surface that requires less overseeding, better suppresses weeds, and stays thicker for longer.

Aerial photo of a golf fairway with trees and sandtrap

Built for Tough Conditions

Stands Up to Traffic: Our turf isn’t just beautiful, it's robust. It exhibits a high tolerance to traffic, ensuring your remains lush and vibrant despite regular use.
Weed Deterrent: RTF^®helps to create a thick dense turf and leaves no room for weed growth. It’s a natural barrier that keeps your surface weed-free, saving you time and effort in maintenance.
Deeply Rooted Resilience: Our turf quickly develops a strong, deep root system, enabling excellent drought and heat tolerance. It thrives with less irrigation and adapts to a wide variety of soil conditions, making it a resilient choice for diverse landscapes.
Thrives in Sunshine or Shade: Whether under the sun or in the shade, our turf grows beautifully. It's designed to survive intense summer heat without browning and is among the most shade-tolerant cool-season grasses. It's perfect for transition zone climates and other tall fescue turf regions.
Aesthetically Pleasing: Our turf boasts an excellent color and density. Its fine leaves make for a very dense, uniform sod. It greens up early in the spring and retains its rich, vibrant color even under stressful hot temperatures.
Insect and Disease Resistance: Our turf comes enhanced with endophytes for improved resistance against insects, diseases, and drought. This feature also makes it environmentally friendly by reducing the need for chemical and fertilizer inputs. Your lawn stays healthy naturally, while also contributing to a greener planet.

Ariel view of Omaha Country Club's green fairways with RTF bunker surrounds under blue skies.

Trusted By Professionals

RTF^® has proven itself everywhere from residential lawns to championship golf courses. As Eric McPherson, CGCS of Omaha Country Club, explains:

The climate in Omaha is quite severe. RTF^®outperforms every time.

Whether maintaining premium lawns, sports fields, golf courses, parks, or commercial landscapes, turf managers trust RTF^® for dependable performance under demanding conditions.

Experience RTF^® Technology

RTF^® powers Barenbrug's premium self-repairing tall fescue products, delivering exceptional drought tolerance, durability, and natural recovery.

RTF^® Sod
Self-repairing rhizomatous tall fescue sod developed for high-traffic, low-maintenance landscapes where rapid recovery and long-term performance matter.
Turf Saver^® | RTF^®
A premium self-repairing tall fescue blend featuring patented RTF^® technology for drought tolerance, traffic durability, and natural recovery.
Turf Saver^® | RTF^® | HGT^®
Combining patented RTF^® rhizomatous tall fescue with HGT^® (Healthy Grass Technology) Kentucky bluegrass, this premium blend delivers self-repairing performance, exceptional traffic tolerance, broad disease resistance, and outstanding turf quality for high-performance landscapes.