32 92 00 – Turf and Grasses

1.0 General

1.1 Section Includes

A. Restoration of disturbed, non-paved areas including the following:

1. Furnishing and placing topsoil.

2. Soil conditioning.

3. Finish grading

4. Seeding.

5. Sodding.

6. Maintenance.

1.2 Related Sections

A. Section 31 25 00 – Erosion and Sedimentation Controls.

1.3 References

A. American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

B. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Publication 408, latest edition.

C. Pennsylvania Seed Act of 1965, Act 187, as amended.

D. Agricultural Liming Materials Act of 1978, P.L. 15, No. 9 (3 P.S. 132 1), as amended.

E. Pennsylvania Soil Conditioner and Plant Growth Substance Law, Act of December 1, 1977, P.L. 258, No. 86 (3 P.S. 68.2), as amended.

F. Rules for Testing Seeds of the Association of Official Seed Analysts.

1.4 Submittals

A. Submit under provisions of Section 01 33 00 – Submittal Procedures.

B. Certificates:

1. Prior to use or placement of material, the Contractor shall submit certifications of material composition of the following for approval:

a. Topsoil analysis.

b. Fertilizer.

c. Lime.

d. Seed mixture(s).

2. If soil tests are performed to justify decreased liming and fertilizer rates, the

Contractor shall submit certified soil sample analyses, including laboratory's recommended soil supplement formulation.

1.5 Quality Assurance

A. Testing Agency:

1. The Contractor has the option to use soil testing to justify decreasing lime and fertilizer rates. When the Contractor selects soil testing, the soil and soil supplement testing shall be performed by a Soils Testing Laboratory engaged and paid for by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer. Collect soil samples under the direction of the Engineer.

1.6 Product Delivery, Storage and Handling

A. Seed:

1. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that delivered seed is fully tagged and in separate packages according to species or seed mix. The Contractor shall not accept or use seed which has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged in transit or storage.

B. Sod:

1. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that sod is delivered to the project site within 24 hours after being cut and place sod within 36 hours after being cut.

The Contractor shall not accept and shall not use small, irregular, or broken pieces of sod.

2. During wet weather, the Contractor shall allow sod to dry sufficiently to prevent tearing during handling and placing. During dry weather, the Contractor shall moisten sod to ensure its vitality and to prevent dropping of the soil during handling. Sod which dries out will be rejected.

1.7 Project Conditions

A. The Contractor shall restore all unpaved surfaces to a condition equal to or exceeding that prior to excavation, as determined by the Owner or Engineer.

2.0 Products

2.1 Topsoil

A. Having a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0; containing not less than 2% nor more than 10% organic matter as determined by AASHTO T194.

B. Fertile friable loam, sand loam, or clay loam which will hold a ball when squeezed with the hand, but which will crumble shortly after being released.

C. Free of clods, grass, roots, or other debris harmful to plant growth.

D. Free of pests, pest larvae, and matter toxic to plants.

2.2 Fertilizer

A. Refer to “Restoration Schedule” in Section 31 23 33 – Trenching and Backfilling for

Utilities.

2.3 Lime

A. Raw ground limestone conforming to PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.2(a).

2.4 Seed

A. Seed shall conform to PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.2(b).

2.5 Seed Formulas

A. Refer to “Restoration Schedule” in Section 31 23 33 – Trenching and Backfilling for

Utilities.

B. Seed formula and species shall conform to the PennDOT formula identified on the

Contract Drawings, and in Section 31 25 00 – Erosion and Sedimentation Controls.

2.6 Inoculant

A. Inoculant shall conform to PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.2(c).

B. Protect inoculated seed from prolonged exposure to sunlight prior to sowing.

C. Reinoculate seed not sown within 24 hours following initial inoculation.

2.7 Mulching Materials

A. Mulches for seeded areas shall be one, or a combination of, the following:

1. Hay:

a. Cured to less than 20% moisture content by weight.

b. Contain no stems of tobacco, soybeans, or other coarse or woody material.

c. Timothy hay or mixed clover and timothy hay.

2. Straw:

a. Cured to less than 20% moisture content by weight.

b. Contain no stems of tobacco, soybeans, or other coarse or woody material.

c. Wheat or oat straw.

3. Wood Cellulose:

a. No growth or germination inhibiting substances.

b. Green, air dried. Packages not exceeding 100 pounds.

c. Requirements:

Moisture content: 12% + 3%.

Organic Matter: 98.6% + 0.2% on the oven dry basis.

Ash content: 1.4% + 0.2%.

Minimum Water Holding Capacity: 1000%.

2.8 SOD

A. At least three-year-old, well rooted Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) sod containing a growth of not more than 10% of other grasses and clovers.

B. Free from noxious weeds such as Bermuda grass, wild mustard, crab grass, and kindred grasses.

3.0 Execution

3.1 Time of Operations

A. Seeding:

1. Refer to “Restoration Schedule” in Section 31 23 33 – Trenching and Backfilling for

Utilities.

B. Temporary Surfacing:

1. In the event the permanent surfacing cannot be placed due to the weather limitations set forth herein, the Contractor shall provide a temporary surface in lieu thereof. The temporary surface shall be as specified in the Restoration Schedule in

Section 31 23 33 – Trenching and Backfilling for Utilities, Section 31 25 00 – Erosion and Sedimentation Control, and this Section.

2. The Contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and protection of all temporary surfacing until such time as that the permanent pavement or surface can be placed. Permanent surfacing must be placed no later than thirty (30) days following the placement of temporary surfacing. In the event that environmental conditions do not allow for placement of permanent surfacing within the thirty (30) days specified, permanent surfacing must be placed as soon as conditions allow.

3. Prior to placement of final surfacing, the Contractor, Owner, and Engineer shall inspect all areas to be restored. The Contractor shall be responsible for any replacement of material, regarding, or addition of material deemed necessary by the Engineer in any areas found to be unacceptable for receipt of final surfacing, at no additional cost to the Owner.

4. Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of the temporary surfacing to the grade required for the placement of the final subbase, base, and surface at the specified depths. This is incidental to the Project.

5. The Contractor shall be responsible for any necessary adjustments to grade for manholes, frame and covers, valve boxes and other facilities or structures prior to final surfacing. No separate measurement or payment shall be made for such adjustments to grade – all of which shall be to the utility owner’s satisfaction.

6. The Contractor shall place temporary surfacing where directed by the Engineer, at no additional cost to the Owner.

3.2 Preparation of Subgrade

A. "Hard pan" or heavy shale:

1. The Contractor shall plow to a minimum depth of six (6) inches.

2. The Contractor shall loosen and grade by harrowing, discing, or dragging.

3. The Contractor shall hand rake subgrade. Remove stones over two (2) inches in diameter and other debris.

B. Loose loam, sandy loam, or light clay:

1. The Contractor shall loosen and grade by harrowing, discing, or dragging.

2. The Contractor shall hand rake subgrade. Remove rocks over two (2) inches in diameter and other debris.

3.3 Furnishing and Placing Topsoil

A. The Contractor shall replace topsoil and furnish additional topsoil as necessary to meet minimum thickness requirements. Spread over the prepared subgrade to obtain the required depth and grade elevation. Final compacted topsoil thickness of all areas with the exception of areas receiving PennDOT Formula D seeding shall be a minimum of four (4) inches, and areas receiving PennDOT Formula D seeding shall be a minimum of six (6) inches deep.

B. The Contractor shall hand rake topsoil and remove all materials unsuitable or harmful to plant growth.

C. The Contractor shall not place topsoil when the subgrade is frozen, excessively wet, or extremely dry. The Contractor shall abide by the Engineer’s determination as to when these conditions are present.

D. The Contractor shall not handle topsoil when frozen or muddy, in the opinion of the

Engineer.

3.4 Tillage

A. After seedbed areas have been brought to proper compacted elevation, the Contractor shall thoroughly loosen to a minimum depth of two (2) inches by discing, harrowing, or other approved methods. Do not work topsoiled areas when frozen or excessively wet, in the opinion of the Engineer.

B. Liming:

1. The Contractor shall distribute limestone uniformly at the rate identified in accordance with PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.

2. The Contractor shall thoroughly incorporate into the topsoil to a minimum depth of two (2) inches.

C. Fertilizer:

1. The Contractor shall distribute fertilizer uniformly at the rate identified in accordance with PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.

2. The Contractor shall incorporate into soil to depth of two (2) inches by approved methods.

3. The Contractor shall incorporate as part of tillage operation.

D. Liming and Fertilizer rates may be decreased if lesser rates are indicated by soil tests provided by the Contractor to the Engineer, at no additional cost to the Owner. The

Contractor must obtain the Engineer’s concurrence in writing prior to any reduction in liming and/or fertilizing rates.

3.5 Finish Grading

A. The Contractor shall remove unsuitable material larger than two (2) inches in any dimension.

B. The Contractor shall uniformly grade surface to the required contours without the formation of water pockets. Where existing or newly proposed overland drainage patterns exist or are proposed, the Contractor shall provide the necessary grading to promote proper overland flow or collection of rainwater.

C. At no cost to the Owner, the Contractor shall rework areas that puddle by the addition of topsoil and fertilizer. Rerake.

D. The Contractor shall distribute fertilizer at the rates indicated in accordance with

PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.

E. The Contractor shall incorporate fertilizer into the upper one (1) inch of soil.

3.6 Seeding

A. The Contractor shall uniformly sow specified seed mix by use of approved hydraulic seeder, power drawn drill, power operated seeder, or hand operated seeder or by hand. Do not seed when winds are over 15 mph.

B. Upon completion of sowing, the Contractor shall cover seed to an average depth of one quarter (1/4 inch by hand re-raking or mechanical methods approved by the

Engineer.

3.7 Mulching

A. The Contractor shall mulch within 48 hours of seeding.

B. The Contractor shall place hay and straw mulch in a continuous blanket at the minimum rate in accordance with PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804.

C. The Contractor shall anchor hay or straw mulch by use of wood cellulose fiber hydraulically at the rate in accordance with PennDOT Publication 408, Section 804:

1. A light covering of topsoil may be used for anchorage when the size of the area precludes the use of mechanical equipment, and the Engineer concurs with this approach.

2. The Contractor shall incorporate as an integral part of the slurry after seed and soil supplements have been thoroughly mixed.

D. When mulch is applied to grass areas by blowing equipment, the use of cutters in the equipment will be permitted to the extent that a minimum of 95% of the mulch is six

(6) inches or more in length. For cut mulches applied by the blowing method, the

Contractor shall achieve a loose depth in place of not less than two (2) inches.

3.8 Sodding

A. Prior to sod placement, the Contractor shall complete soil preparation or topsoiling.

B. The Contractor shall apply lime and fertilizer as specified. Work into the soil a minimum of two (2) inches.

C. The Contractor shall not place sod when the temperature, at the time, is lower than

32 degrees F.

D. The Contractor shall place sod by hand with tight joints and no overlap. Transverse joints shall be broken or staggered.

E. The Contractor shall place sod so that the top of the sod is flush with the surrounding grade.

F. Use of tools which damage the sod or dumping of sod from vehicles will not be permitted.

G. The Contractor shall water sod to the saturation point immediately after placement.

H. After watering, the Contractor shall tamp with an approved tamper to close all joints and ensure close contact between sod and sod bed. After tamping, the sod shall present a smooth, even surface free from bumps and depressions. If directed by the

Engineer, use a light roller, weighing not more than 65 pounds per foot of roller width to complete firming and smoothing the sod.

I. When placing sod in ditches, the Contractor shall place the strip with the long dimension at right angles to the flow of water. At any point where water will start flowing over a sodded area, the upper edge of the sod strips shall be turned into the soil below the adjacent area and a layer of compacted earth placed over this juncture to conduct the water over the edge of the sod.

J. In ditches and on slope areas, the Contractor shall stake each strip of sod securely with at least one (1) wood stake for each two (2) square feet of sod. Stakes shall be two (2) inches by one (1) inch with a length of eight (8) to 12 inches. Drive stakes flush with the top of the sod, with the long face parallel to the slope contour.

3.9 Maintenance

A. Maintenance includes watering, weeding, cleanup, edging and repair of depressions, washouts or gullies.

B. The Contractor shall reseed those areas which do not show a prompt catch or grass within 14 days of seeding or sodding. The Contractor shall reseed or resod until complete grass catch occurs. Grass catch shall be as determined by the Owner or the

Engineer.

C. The Contractor shall mow sod in the field to a height of not more than two and a half

(2 1/2) inches within five (5) days prior to lifting.

D. The Contractor shall cut sod to a depth equal to the growth of the fibrous roots, but in no case less than one and a half (1 1/2) inches, exclusive of grass and thatch. Do not cut sod when the ground temperature is below 32 degrees F.

3.10 Seeding Schedule

A. PennDOT Formula T seeding schedule shall be used for all temporary seeding, unless otherwise specified on the Contract Drawings.

B. PennDOT Formula B seeding schedule shall be used for all maintained and mowed lawn areas, unless otherwise specified on the Contract Drawings.

END OF SECTION