Unleashing the Power of Rhizomatous Tall Fescue

At Barenbrug, we care about your turf needs and the environment. That’s why we developed the remarkable RTF® (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue). This grass technology creates an extensive root system that can tap into deep soil for moisture. This makes it versatile enough to adapt to a diverse range of soil types. It’s like the superhero of grasses, bravely withstanding tough conditions.

Introduction to Rhizomatous Tall Fescue

Rhizomatous Tall Fescue (RTF) is a groundbreaking type of tall fescue grass that has transformed the turf industry. Developed by Barenbrug’s turf scientists over two decades ago, RTF features a patented technology that enables it to spread aggressively and mend damaged turf and bare spots with remarkable speed. This self-repairing turf is perfect for a variety of applications, including lawns, sports fields, golf courses, and parks, as it demands less water and maintenance compared to other grass types.

RTF is available as a tall fescue blend, Turf Saver with RTF and RTF Sod, that boast a deep root system, making it exceptionally drought-tolerant and adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. The unique rhizome producing characteristic of RTF allows it to quickly fill in bare spots and damaged areas, reducing the need for overseeding and minimizing the impact of weeds.

One of the standout features of RTF is its ability to self-repair, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas and lawns that receive limited maintenance. This quality has made RTF a favorite among licensed sod growers within the Turf Producers Association who appreciate its value in providing a high-quality turf solution that performs on the world stage.

Overall, Rhizomatous Tall Fescue is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, low-maintenance turf solution that can withstand the demands of high-traffic areas and harsh weather conditions.

The Benefits of RTF

The Healing Touch of Self-Repairing Turf:

This technology paired with our grasses provides the unique ability to self-repair. It swiftly regenerates and fills in any damaged or open spots with fresh grass shoots, restoring your playing surface to its pristine state. Additionally, RTF is an excellent choice to mend damaged turf due to its rhizomatous characteristics, which allow it to self-repair effectively and fill in bare spots.

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.

Sunshine or Shade - It Thrives:

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.

What's a Rhizome? Mend Damaged and Bare Spots

A rhizome refers to the subterranean horizontal stem of a plant that is particularly treasured for its ability to produce new shoots, known as tillers. These shoots spring up a few inches away from the main plant. Barenbrug’s proprietary RTF technology, allows our unique tall fescue blends to boast superior rhizome activity compared to other varieties purporting to possess "spreading" traits. This makes RTF the only sod necessary for achieving a lush, low-maintenance turf, thanks to its superior ability to fill in damaged areas and maintain a healthy appearance.

The Climate in Omaha is quite severe. RTF outperforms every time.

Eric McPherson CGCS, Omaha Country Club

Rhizomes To the Rescue!

Rhizomes are valued because they send out new tillers underground which emerge several inches away from the mother plant. Our patented RTF technology provides the highest amount of rhizome activity. Other varieties claiming to "spread" product very few short tillers, while our RTF produces numerous long rhizomes. Designed to factor in the percentage of plants that make rhizomes; the cultivar rhizomatous index is derived by multiplying the number of rhizomes times the percentage of plants with rhizomes and the rhizome length. Multiplying the traits together in a single mathematical index helps to identify the true rhizomatous plants from the others. When you put it all together, Turf Saver with RTF is in a class of its own!

Fescue with RTF vs. Other "Spreading" Grasses

When it comes to choosing the right grass, Tall fescue enhanced with RTF stands head and shoulders above the rest. This unique tall fescue enhancing technology offers several advantages that set it apart from other grasses.

Rhizomatous Tall Fescue: Unlike other tall fescue varieties, Tall fescue enhanced with RTF is the only tall fescue with true rhizomes. These rhizomes allow the grass to spread and fill in damaged and bare spots quickly and efficiently, ensuring a lush, uniform appearance.

Drought Tolerance: Thanks to its deep root system, Tall fescue enhanced with RTF can draw moisture from deeper soil layers, making it exceptionally drought-tolerant. This means your lawn will stay green and healthy even during dry spells, reducing the need for frequent watering.

No Wide-Leafed Ugly Clumps: One common issue with other tall fescues is the formation of wide-leafed ugly clumps that can ruin the aesthetic of your lawn. Tall fescue enhanced with RTF, however, maintains a fine leaf texture, resulting in a more visually appealing and uniform lawn.

High Turf Quality: Tall fescue enhanced with RTF is known for its high turf quality, even in extreme weather conditions. Whether it’s scorching summer heat or heavy foot traffic, this grass maintains its lush, green appearance, making it an ideal choice for golf courses, sports fields, and residential landscapes.

Fewer Weed Problems: The rhizomatous nature and deep root system of Tall fescue enhanced with RTF help to create a dense turf that leaves little room for weeds to grow. This natural weed deterrent reduces the need for frequent overseeding and fertilization, saving you time and effort in lawn maintenance.

Applications and Uses of Tall Fescue enhanced with RTF technology

Tall fescue enhanced with RTF provides a versatile grass that excels in a variety of applications, making it a popular choice for different types of landscapes.

Residential Lawns: Homeowners love Turf Saver with RTF and RTF Sod for its low maintenance requirements and ability to quickly fill in damaged and bare spots. Its drought tolerance means less watering, and its fine leaf texture ensures a beautiful, uniform lawn.

Golf Courses: Golf course superintendents appreciate RTF Sod for its high turf quality and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. Its deep root system provides excellent drought tolerance, ensuring the greens stay lush and playable even in dry conditions.

Sports Fields: Turf Saver with RTF and RTF Sod is a top choice for sports fields due to its durability and ability to maintain high turf quality under extreme weather conditions. Its self-repairing nature ensures that the field remains in top condition, even with constant use.

Commercial Properties: For commercial properties, Turf Saver with RTF offers a low-maintenance, high-quality turf solution. Its drought tolerance and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic make it ideal for areas with high pedestrian activity.

Omaha Country Club: A shining example of RTF Sod's success is its use at Omaha Country Club. The club has benefited from the grass’s high turf quality, drought tolerance, and ability to maintain a pristine appearance despite the challenging climate. This real-world application showcases the value of RTF Sod in maintaining high-quality turf in demanding environments.

By choosing a Tall fescue enahnced with RTF technology, you are investing in a grass that offers superior performance, low maintenance, and exceptional aesthetic appeal, making it the perfect choice for a wide range of applications.

Ready to Plant? 

Buy Now