32 92 23 - Sodding.pdf

32 92 23 – SODDING

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 32 92 23 - 1 009280.0426

SECTION 32 92 23 – SODDING

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes:

1. Preparation of subsoil.

2. Placement of topsoil.

3. Fertilization.

4. Sod installation.

5. Maintenance.

B. Related Requirements:

1. Section 32 91 19 – Landscape Grading

2. Section 32 92 19 – Seeding

1.2 REFERENCE STANDARDS

A. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Publication 408 Specifications.

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

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

D. 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.

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

1.3 SUBMITTALS

A. Section 01 33 00 – Submittal Procedures: Requirements for submittals.

B. Product Data:

1. Submit sod producer's information for sod grass species.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 32 92 23 - 2 009280.0426

C. Samples:

1. When directed, furnish three strips of sod, 4½" feet long by 12" wide, laid on 3" of topsoil and tamped in place. The samples shall be representative of the sod and workmanship to be provided.

2. Advise the Engineer of the location of the field, and area within the field, from which the sod is to be taken for approval.

D. Manufacturer's Certificate: Certify that products meet or exceed specified requirements.

E. Sod Producer's Certificate: Certify that sod grass meets or exceeds specified requirements.

F. Test and Evaluation Reports: Indicate topsoil nutrient and pH levels, with recommended soil supplements and application rates.

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Sod: Ensure root development capable of supporting its own weight without tearing when suspended vertically by holding upper two corners.

B. Perform Work in accordance with PennDOT and Elizabethtown Area Water Authority standard.

1.5 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. Section 01 61 00 – Product Requirements: Requirements for transporting, handling, storing, and protecting products.

B. Sod:

1. Deliver sod to the project site within 24 hours after being cut and place sod within

36 hours after being cut. Do not deliver small, irregular, or broken pieces of sod.

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

C. Store materials according to manufacturer instructions.

1.6 AMBIENT CONDITIONS

A. Section 01 50 00 – Temporary Facilities and Controls: Requirements for ambient condition control facilities for product storage and installation.

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PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 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.

2.2 FERTILIZER

A. See Seeding Schedule on the Contract Drawings.

2.3 LIME

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

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 EXAMINATION

A. Section 01 73 00 – Execution Requirements: Requirements for installation examination.

B. Verify that prepared soil base is ready to receive Work of this Section.

3.2 INSTALLATION

A. Subsoil Preparation:

1. Eliminate uneven areas and low spots.

2. Maintain indicated lines, levels, profiles, and contours.

3. Slopes:

a. Make gradual changes in grade.

b. Blend slopes into level areas.

4. Foreign Materials:

a. Remove foreign materials and undesirable plants and their roots.

b. Do not bury foreign materials beneath areas to be sodded.

5. Remove contaminated subsoil.

6. Scarify subsoil to depth of 4 inches where topsoil is to be placed.

7. Repeat cultivation in areas where equipment used for hauling and spreading topsoil has compacted subsoil.

Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. 32 92 23 - 4 009280.0426

B. Placing of Topsoil:

1. Section 32 91 19 – Landscape Grading – Placing Topsoil

C. TILLAGE

1. After seedbed areas have been brought to proper compacted elevation, thoroughly loosen to a minimum depth of 2" by discing, harrowing, or other approved methods. Do not work topsoiled areas when frozen or excessively wet.

2. Liming:

a. Distribute limestone uniformly at the rate identified in the Seeding

Schedule of the Contract Drawings.

b. Thoroughly incorporate into the topsoil to a minimum depth of 2".

3. Fertilizer:

a. Distribute fertilizer uniformly at the rate identified in the Seeding

Schedule on the Contract Drawings.

b. Incorporate into soil to depth of 2" by approved methods.

c. Incorporate as part of tillage operation.

4. Liming and Fertilizer rates may be decreased if lesser rates are indicated by soil tests provided by the Contractor.

D. FINISH GRADING

1. Remove unsuitable material larger than 2" in any dimension.

2. Uniformly grade surface to the required contours without the formation of water pockets.

3. Rework areas that puddle by the addition of topsoil and fertilizer. Rerake.

4. Distribute fertilizer at the rates indicated in the Seed Schedule on the Contract Drawings.

5. Incorporate fertilizer into the upper 1" of soil.

E. SODDING

1. Prior to sod placement, complete soil preparation or topsoiling.

2. Apply lime and fertilizer as specified. Work into the soil a minimum of 2".

3. Do not place sod when the temperature is lower than 32 degrees F.

4. Place sod by hand with tight joints and no overlap. Transverse joints shall be broken or staggered.

5. Place sod so that the top of the sod is flush with the surrounding grade.

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

7. Water sod to the saturation point immediately after placement.

8. After watering, 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 so directed, use a light roller, weighing not more than 65 pounds per foot of roller width to complete firming and smoothing the sod.

9. When placing sod in ditches, 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.

10. In ditches and on slope areas, stake each strip of sod securely with at least 1 wood stake for each 2 square feet of sod. Stakes shall be 2" by 1" with a length of 8" to 12". Drive stakes flush with the top of the sod, with the long face parallel to the slope contour.

3.3 MAINTENANCE

A. Section 01 73 00 – Execution Requirements: Requirements for maintenance service.

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

C. Those areas which do not show a prompt catch or grass within 14 days of seeding or sodding shall be reseeded or resodded until complete grass catch occurs.

D. Mow sod in the field to a height of not more than 2-1/2" within 5 days prior to lifting.

E. Cut sod to a depth equal to the growth of the fibrous roots, but in no case less than 1-1/2", exclusive of grass and thatch. Do not cut sod when the ground temperature is below 32 degrees F.

END OF SECTION 32 92 23