32-02930 Lawns Grasses.pdf

Job No. WCON 1509

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SECTION 02930

LAWNS AND GRASSES

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. Work shall consist of the temporary seeding required for erosion control purposes and the permanent seeding and sodding required to restore and stabilize all areas disturbed by construction activity that are not required to be paved. Contractor shall apply seed, sod, limestone, fertilizer, mulch, mulch anchoring, water, and other items incidental thereto and required for a complete installation.

B. Restoration involves the repair or replacement of all items disturbed by construction except those items specifically indicated by the Engineer to be removed. Restoration when complete should render the disturbed area equal to or better than its original condition prior to construction.

C. All lawn areas disturbed shall be seeded or sodded as specified herein.

1.2 RELATED WORK SPECIFIED ELSEWHERE

A. Finish Grading – Section 02260

1.3 SUBMITTALS

A. Manufacturer's Test Reports - Submit certificates for the following:

1. Certificate of Sod.

2. Certificate of Seed.

3. Certification of Bulk Fertilizer.

1.4 REFERENCE STANDARDS - Comply with the following:

A. Association of Official Seed Analysts.

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B. American Sod Producers Association (ASPA)

"Guideline Specifications to Sodding"

C. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Publication 408, "Specifications", latest edition.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 TOPSOIL

A. Onsite Topsoil: Onsite soil material from the top six (6”) inches of ground surface, as available in stockpiles, and as approved by Engineer.

B. Offsite Topsoil: If on-site topsoil is insufficient in quantity to provide specified thickness, provide topsoil from approved off-site sources as required to complete the work. Off-site topsoil shall meet the following minimum requirements.

1. Topsoil shall be fertile, friable, well drained, pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, free of sub-soil, toxic substances harmful to plant growth without clay lumps, stones, roots or debris. Analysis of content shall be as follows:

Sand - 35% to 40%

Clay - 15% to 20%

Organic Matter - 2.5%

Silt - Balance

2. Test off-site topsoil by a soils testing laboratory retained and compensated by the contractor and approved by the engineer and submit copy of test report for approval by the engineer.

2.2 SEED

A. Seed shall conform to applicable State and Federal regulations and to test provisions of Association of Official Seed Analysts. Seed shall be mixed and delivered in clean, sealed bags bearing certified analysis. Submit certificates of analysis for approval.

B. Seed mix shall be in conformance with PennDOT publication 408, section 804.2

Formula C.

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2.3 SODDING

A. General

1. This work shall consist of furnishing, placing and maintaining cultivated sod on designated areas in accordance with these specifications and within reasonably close conformity to the lines and dimensions shown on the contract drawings or as directed by the Engineer.

B. Materials

Sod: Provide strongly rooted sod, not less than two (2) years old and free of weeds and undesirable native grasses. Provide only sod capable of growth and development when planted (viable, not dormant). Provide sod composed principally of the following:

Spreading Fescue Fortess 30

Chewings Fescue Banner 30

Kentucky Bluegrass Kenblue 30

Perennial Rye Manhattan 10

1. A sample of the sod to be installed shall be supplied to the Owner or his authorized representative for approval prior to delivery.

C. Construction Requirements

1. Sod shall be cut in rectangular sections measuring twelve (12”) inches to twenty-four (24”) inches wide and two (2’) feet to six (6’) feet long in order to permit handling without tearing or breaking. The thickness of the section shall be approximately three-quarter (3/4”) inch.

2. If the grass is longer than two (2”) inches, it shall be mowed to a height of one and one half (1½”) inches prior to removal of the sod. All sod shall be in a well-moistened condition when delivered to the site.

3. All sod shall be placed within forty-eight (48) hours after being cut.

Should temporary storage be required, sod shall be protected from direct sunlight and drying. Dried-out sod will not be accepted.

4. Prior to placing any sod, all grading and soil preparation shall have been completed as previously specified. Soil shall be moist prior to placing sod.

5. Sod shall be placed at times when moisture and temperature conditions are suitable. Sod shall not be cut or placed when the temperature is lower than thirty-five (35) degrees Fahrenheit.

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6. Sod shall be carefully placed by hand with tight joints and no overlap.

Pitchforks or other tools which tend to damage to sod shall not be used and dumping from vehicles will not be permitted. Transverse joints shall be broken or staggered. All sod shall be thoroughly watered to the point of saturation immediately after placing.

7. After watering, the sod shall be sufficiently tamped with an approved tamper to close all joints and insure close contact between sod and sod bed. After tamping, the sod shall present a smooth even surface, free from bumps and depressions. If so directed, a light roller, weighing not more than sixty-five (65) pounds per foot-width, shall be used to complete firming and smoothing the sod. On all slopes, sod shall be placed with the long axis parallel to the contour starting at the bottom of the slope. Joints shall be staggered.

8. In ditches and on slope areas, each strip of sod shall be staked securely with at least one (1) wood stake for each two (2) square feet of sod. Stakes shall be one-half (½”) inch by one (1’) inch with a length of eight (8”) to twelve (12”) inches as directed. Stakes shall be driven flush with the top of the sod, and with the long face parallel to the slope contour.

2.4 LIMESTONE - Ground agricultural dolomitic limestone, 90% calcium carbonate equivalent, conforming to standards of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists and applicable State and Federal regulations.

2.5 FERTILIZER - Conforming to standards of Association of Official Agricultural

Chemists, delivered in sealed and labeled bags, or in bulk with certification as to quality and analysis. Nitrogen source shall be at least 33% water insoluble. Fertilizer shall have the following formulations:

- Basic Fertilizer - 0-20-20.

- Starter Fertilizer - 10-18-10.

- Hydroseeding - 10-10-10.

2.6 SOIL STABILIZING AGENT - For use in hydroseed mix only. Material shall be equal to one of the following:

- "Verdyol Complex" - Weyerhaeuser Company.

- "Curasol" - Wolbert Master Associates.

- "Terra-Tack" - Grass Growers, Inc.

- "J-Tac" - Reclamare Company.

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2.7 MULCH MATERIAL

A. General Use - Straw, salt marsh hay, or a combination of both. Material shall be reasonably weed free, not brittle or overly decomposed.

B. For Hydraulic Seeding - Wood cellulose fiber mulch, containing nontoxic green dyemarker.

2.8 MULCH ANCHORAGE MATERIAL

A. Conform to requirements of Section 805.2 of the PennDOT specifications except that asphaltic binders are not allowed.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 LANDSCAPE WORK

A. Furnish all labor, supervision, materials and equipment to do all grading, topsoiling, seeding and sodding of the areas disturbed by construction.

B. Only material that is acceptable to Engineers shall be used to do finish grading.

Fills shall be carefully made, solidly compacted, and graded to walks and roadways. All excess excavation not required for grading shall be removed from the site.

C. Upon completion of finish grading, topsoil shall be spread to a finished six (6”) inch minimum depth.

D. During all operations following topsoil spreading, surface shall be kept free from stones over one and one half (1½”) inch in size or any rubbish, debris, or other material which will be detrimental to seeding or to maintenance.

E. No separate payment will be made for landscape restoration work, the cost thereof being included in the prices bid.

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3.2 PREPARING TOPSOIL

A. Existing On-Site Topsoil for Fine Lawn Areas - Incorporate the following materials uniformly throughout the entire depth of topsoil by discing, rototilling, or other approved method, except starter fertilizer which shall be spread uniformly to the surface and raked into the soil.

1. Limestone - As specified on drawings.

2. Starter Fertilizer - As specified on drawings.

B. Off-Site Topsoil Fine Lawn and Temporary Lawn Areas - Incorporate the following materials uniformly throughout the entire depth of topsoil, except starter fertilizer which shall be spread uniformly to the surface and raked into the soil.

1. Limestone - As specified on drawings.

2. Starter Fertilizer - As specified on drawings.

C. Add starter fertilizer to surface of seed bed. Rake or drag smooth to final grade elevations, roll if necessary to stabilize in order to commence seeding. Remove ruts, mounds, and ridges on surface of topsoil. All stones, roots, or other debris greater than one (1”) inch visible on the surface shall be removed. Resulting holes shall be filled with specified topsoil, leaving a uniform planer surface. Contractor shall grade uniformly so soil surface does not have low spots which may collect water.

D. Seeding operation shall take place while topsoil is in friable, loose condition, with no crusting of the surface.

3.3 SEEDING

A. Seeding shall be done between the following dates.

1. Permanent Seedings – Between March 1 to October 15.

2. Temporary Lawns - As soon as possible for Erosion Control purposes.

B. Seed during favorable weather conditions. Prepared bed shall be in moderately dry condition during seeding.

C. Sow the seed mix at the rates indicated on the drawings.

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D. Sowing may be by the following optional methods:

1. Mechanical Power-Drawn Seeder - Combination grass planter and land packer or pulverizer. Plant seed not deeper than l/4 inch. Keep seeding operation as close as possible to the contours and not up and down slopes.

After seeding, compact with land roller, such as a cultipacker. With proper equipment, sowing seed and cultipacking in one operation is satisfactory.

2. Hopper Type Spreader - Manually propelled or power drawn hopper devices. Uniformly distribute the seed by sowing half the seed in one direction and the remainder at right angles to the direction of the first sowing. Cover seed an average depth of 1/4 inch by means of chain harrow, cultipacker, or other approved method.

3. Hydroseeding - Hydraulic broadcasting of prepared material are as follows:

a. With written approval of the Engineer.

b. Water - As Specified.

c. 1,500 pounds of wood cellulose, plus l5% for slopes 5% and steeper.

d. 2.75 tons of lime.

e. 0.87 pounds of fertilizer.

f. Soil stabilizer of type and at rate recommended by the manufacturer.

g. Seed Mix - As specified.

h. For a 3,000 gallon tank, multiply these quantities by 0.75. Mix and agitate all materials, except wood cellulose, in 2,200 gallons of water; then add wood cellulose, fill tank with water and continue the agitation. Seed promptly, under constant agitation of the mix, beginning when the complete mix is a uniform slurry. Limit coverage for the 3,000 gallon tank to 0.75 acre.

i. Take precautions against overspray onto roads, curbs, sidewalks, building walls, and other surfaces except the ground areas.

Contractor shall promptly clean all areas of overspray to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

E. For temporary seeding work, add to topsoil the lime, peat and basic fertilizer, as specified, and finish surface of topsoil reasonably smooth. At time of permanent seeding, turn over the temporarily seeded areas by discing, to kill the grass and weeds. Smooth and fine grade the surface, add starter fertilizer and follow with the permanent seeding work. Option - Temporary seeding may be done by

02930-8 hydroseeding method, including mulch and soil amendments.

3.4 SODDING

A. Provide sod in areas on slopes steeper than three horizontal to one vertical, within drainage swales, and in residential lawn areas as directed by the Engineer. Sod shall also be placed on the uphill edge of all walks parallel to slopes in excess of eight (8%) percent.

B. Place sod on prepared topsoil bed as hereinbefore specified for seeded areas. At the time sod is placed, topsoil shall be in a damp, friable, loose condition, with no surface crust.

C. Retain sod on slopes steeper than three horizontal to one vertical and in swales, using wooden pins driven into sod until top is flush with sod.

D. In placing sod, keep rows parallel with contour lines. Keep the work true to finished grade, and tamp or roll to establish firm contact with the topsoil bed. Butt the pads tightly and stagger ends with those in adjacent rows. If sod separates, backfill with topsoil flush with sod and over seed.

3.5 MULCHING

A. Except hydroseeded areas, seeded areas sloped four horizontal to one vertical or greater and areas where lawn would be difficult to establish, shall be mulched at rate of three (3) tons per acre.

B. Wood fiber mulch or soil stabilizing agents may be used, hydraulically applied in water at rate of 1,500 pounds of wood fiber per acre, plus 15% on slopes greater than four to one.

C. For dry-mulched areas, spray with anchorage material immediately after spreading the straw or salt marsh hay or both, in accordance with Section 805.3 of the PennDOT Specifications, in a method to bind the mulch to the soil and inhibit wind loss of the mulch. Do not apply anchorage material within thirty (30’) feet of building lines. Clean off misplaced spray from building walks, paving, light standards and bases, and other surfaces to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

D. Winter Weather Mulching

1. When winter weather prevents immediate establishment of permanent

02930-9 lawn cover, mulch the soil.

2. Use any of the following mulches at the rate stated per acre.

Straw ........................... 3 tons

Cornstalks, shredded or chopped to lengths

6 inches to 8 inches .......... 4 to 6 tons

Wood chips, minimum 2 inches depth of mulch

3. All mulches, except wood chips, shall be tucked into the soil about 3 inches by use of disc or other pull type power equipment.

4. After mulch has afforded winter protection, it shall either be removed or worked into the soil.

3.6 WATERING

A. Water shall be supplied by Contractor.

B. Keep newly seeded and sodded areas moistened until the grass becomes well established.

C. In event of insufficient rainfall, moisten areas every two or three days until the height of the grass is two (2") inches above grade. Thereafter, water in absence of rain every seven to ten days. When watering sod, make sure that water soaks through the sod into the topsoil bed below.

3.7 PROTECTIVE WORK

A. Provide incidental materials and work necessary to protect the work from damage.

Prevent damage to property during these operations.

B. Protective work shall include wire line and stakes along walkways with cloth strips at four (4’) feet intervals as evidence of the wire and also "KEEP OFF" signs.

C. Defer work when continuation of construction work must occur over certain lawn areas.

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3.8 MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE

A. Maintain all seeded and sodded areas by properly mowing, watering, weeding, and similar care to keep the work in a clean and neat condition at all times.

3.9 CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE

A. When average height of grass is about two and one half (2-1/2”) inches it shall be cut to a height of one and one half (1-1/2”) inches with approved mowing equipment, and at that time, any depressions or other irregularities in lawn surface shall be leveled and reseeded. Contractor's maintenance shall cease after third cutting, provided all areas are grassed and free from bare spots or large "off color" areas.

END OF SECTION