329000 Planting - 11 pages.pdf

Des Moines VAMC, Des Moines IA VA Project 636A6-23-101

Construct Steam Tunnel 02/07/2025

3600 30th Street Revision 1

Des Moines, IA 50310

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PLANTING

SECTION 32 90 00

PLANTING

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes:

1. Plants, soils, edging, turf, and landscape materials.

1.2 RELATED REQUIREMENTS

A. Topsoil Materials, Stripping and Stockpiling: Section 31 20 11, EARTHWORK (SHORT FORM).

B. Topsoil Placement and Compaction Test: Section 31 20 11, EARTHWORK

(SHORT FORM).

C. Topsoil Testing; Section 01 45 29, TESTING LABORATORY SERVICES.

D. Erosion Control: Section 01 57 19, TEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS.

E. Protection of Trees and Plantings: Section 02 41 00, DEMOLITION.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

A. Pesticide: Any substance or mixture of substances, including biological control agents, that may prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests and is specifically labeled for use by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA). Also, any substance used as plant regulator, defoliant, disinfectant, or biocide.

B. Planter Bed: An area containing one or combination of following plant types: shrubs, vines, wildflowers, annuals, perennials, ground cover, possibly containing mulch topdressing, and excluding turf. Trees may also be found in planter beds.

1.4 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

A. Comply with references to extent specified in this section.

B. American National Standards Institute (ANSI):

1. Z60.1-2014 - Nursery Stock.

C. American Society for Testing And Materials (ASTM):

1. C602-13a - Agricultural Liming Materials.

2. D5268-13 - Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes.

D. Hortus Third: Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in United States and Canada.

E. Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA):

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1. A300P1-2008 - Tree Care Operations - Trees, Shrubs and Other Woody

Plant Maintenance Standard Practices (Pruning).

2. Z133.1-2012 - Arboricultural Operations - Safety Requirements.

F. Turfgrass Producers International (TPI):

1. 2006 Guideline Specifications to Turfgrass Sodding.

G. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

1. DOA SSIR 42-2014 - Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual.

2. Handbook No. 60 - Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali

Soils.

1.5 SUBMITTALS

A. Submittal Procedures: Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA, AND SAMPLES.

B. Manufacturer's Literature and Data:

1. Description of each product.

a. Sod

2. Photographs: Color photographs of sod sample. Include on each photograph, plant full scientific name(s), percent composition, and source nursery.

3. Warranty.

C. Test reports: Certify products comply with specifications.

D. Certificates: Certify products comply with specifications.

1. Turf Materials: Notarized certificate of product analysis.

E. Qualifications: Substantiate qualifications comply with specifications.

1. Installer, including supervisor with project experience list.

F. Operation and Maintenance Data:

1. Care instructions for each plant material.

1.6 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Installer Qualifications:

1. Regularly installs specified products.

2. Installed specified products with satisfactory service on five similar installations for minimum five years.

B. Contracting Officer’s Representative may review plant materials either at place of growth or project site before planting for compliance with requirements. Contracting Officer’s Representative retains right to inspect sod to determine if any unacceptable conditions exist and to

32 90 00 - 3 reject any sod at any time during Project. All rejected sod must be immediately removed from Project site.

1. Submit plant material source information to Contracting Officer’s

Representative seven days in advance of delivery to Project site.

1.7 STORAGE AND HANDLING

A. Plant Storage and Protection: Store and protect plants not planted on day of arrival at Project site as follows:

1. Shade and protect plants in outdoor storage areas from wind and direct sunlight until planted.

2. Keep sod in moist condition until planted by watering with fine mist spray.

3. Do not store sod directly on concrete or bituminous surfaces.

B. Topsoil: Before stockpiling topsoil, eradicate on site undesirable growing vegetation. Clear and grub existing vegetation three to four weeks before stockpiling existing topsoil.

1.8 FIELD CONDITIONS

A. Environment:

1. Coordinate installation of planting materials during optimal planting seasons for each type of plant material required.

2. Planting Dates:

a. From April 15to June 15 for spring planting and from September

15 to November 15 for fall planting.

3. Restrictions: Do not plant when ground is frozen, or when air temperature exceed 32 degrees C (90 degrees F).

B. Weather Limitations: Install plantings only during current and forecasted weather conditions that are comply with plant requirements.

Apply associated products in compliance with manufacturers' instructions.

1.9 WARRANTY

A. Construction Warranty: FAR clause 52.246-21, "Warranty of

Construction."

B. Manufacturer's Warranty: Warrant plantings and against material defects.

1. Warranty Period: Two years.

2. Turf Warranty Periods will begin from date of Government acceptance of project or phase for beneficial use and occupancy.

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3. Contracting Officer's Representative will reinspect plants and turf at end of Warranty Period. Replace any dead, missing, or defective turf immediately. Warranty Period will end on date of this inspection provided Contractor has complied with warranty work required by this specification. Comply with following requirements:

a. Replace any turf more than 10 percent dead before final inspection.

b. Only one replacement of sod will be required except when losses or replacements are due to failure to comply with these requirements.

c. Complete remedial measures directed by Contracting Officer’s

Representative to ensure turf survival.

d. Repair damage caused while making turf replacements.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 PRODUCTS - GENERAL

A. Provide each product from one source or manufacturer.

2.2 SOD

A. Sod: Nursery grown, certified and classified in TPI's "Guideline

Specifications to Turfgrass Sodding" as GSS. Machine cut sod at uniform thickness of 19 mm (3/4 inch) within tolerance of 6 mm (1/4 inch), excluding top growth and thatch. Each individual sod piece to be strong enough to support its own weight when lifted by ends. Broken pads, irregularly shaped pieces, and torn or uneven ends will not be permitted.

B. Sod Species: Genetically pure, free of weeds, pests, and disease.

2.3 TURF SELECTIONS

A. Grasses for Cool Regions:

1. Fescue: Red (Festucrubra), Meadow (Festucpratensis) and Tall

(Festucarundinacea).

2.4 PLANTING SOILS

A. Planting Soil: Evaluate soil for use as topsoil according to

ASTM D5268. From 5 to 10 percent organic matter as determined by topsoil composition tests of Organic Carbon, 6A, Chemical Analysis

Method described in USDA DOA SSIR 42. Maximum particle size, 19 mm

(3/4 inch), with maximum 3 percent retained on 6 mm (1/4 inch) screen.

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Mix topsoil with following soil amendments and fertilizers as recommended by soils analysis.

B. Existing Planting Soil: Existing, native surface topsoil formed under natural conditions retained during excavation process and stockpiled on-site. Verify suitability of native surface topsoil to produce viable planting soil. Clean soil of roots, plants, sod, stones, clay lumps, and other extraneous materials harmful to plant growth.

1. Mix existing, native surface topsoil with soil amendments and fertilizers as recommended by soils analysis.

C. Imported Planting Soil: Imported topsoil or manufactured topsoil from off-site sources are acceptable if sufficient topsoil is not available on site to meet specified depth. At least 10 days before topsoil delivery, notify Contracting Officer’s Representative of topsoil sources. Obtain imported topsoil displaced from naturally well-drained construction or mining sites where topsoil is at least 100 mm

(4 inches) deep. Topsoil from agricultural land, bogs, or marshes will be rejected.

2.5 INORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS

A. Lime: Commercial grade hydrated or burnt limestone containing calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) specified in ASTM C602 of minimum 80 percent.

B. Sulfur: 100 percent elemental.

C. Iron Sulfate: 100 percent elemental.

D. Aluminum Sulfate: Commercial grade.

E. Perlite: Horticultural grade.

F. Agricultural Gypsum: Coarsely ground from recycled scrap gypsum board comprised of calcium sulfate dehydrate 91 percent, calcium 22 percent, sulfur 17 percent, minimum 96 percent passing through 850 micrometers

20 mesh screen, 100 percent passing through 970 micrometers 16 mesh screen.

G. Coarse Sand: ASTM C33/C33M, clean and free of materials harmful to plants.

H. Vermiculite: Horticultural grade for planters.

I. Diatomaceous Earth: Calcined, 90 percent silica, with approximately 140 percent water absorption capacity by weight.

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J. Zeolites: Mineral clinoptilolite with at least 60 percent water absorption by weight.

2.6 ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS

A. Organic Matter: Commercially prepared compost. Free of substances toxic to plantings and as follows:

1. Organic Matter Content: Wood cellulose fiber, wood chips, ground or shredded bark, shredded hardwood, from project site when available.

Biobased content 100 percent. Wood cellulose fiber processed to contain no growth or germination-inhibiting factors, dyed with non-toxic, biodegradable dye to appropriate color to facilitate visual metering of materials application.

2. Feedstock: Agricultural, food, or industrial residuals; biosolids;

yard trimmings; or source-separated or compostable mixed solid waste.

B. Peat: Natural product of sphagnum moss peat, peat moss, hypnum moss, peat reed sedge peat, or peat humus derived from fresh-water site, conforming to ASTM D4427 and containing no invasive species, including seeds. Shred and granulate peat to pass 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) mesh screen and condition in storage pile for minimum 6 months after excavation.

Biobased content minimum 100 percent.

C. Composted Derivatives: Ground bark, nitolized sawdust, humus, or other green wood waste material free of stones, sticks, invasive species, including seeds, and soil stabilized with nitrogen and having following properties:

1. Particle Size: Minimum percent by weight passing:

a. 4.75 mm (No. 4) mesh screen: 95.

b. 2.36 mm (No. 8) mesh screen: 80.

2. Nitrogen Content: Minimum percent based on dry weight:

a. Fir sawdust: 0.7.

b. Fir or pine bark: 1.0.

3. Biobased Content: 100 percent.

D. Manure: Well-rotted, horse or cattle manure containing maximum 25 percent by volume of straw, sawdust, or other bedding materials; free of seeds, stones, sticks, soil, and other invasive species.

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2.7 PLANT FERTILIZERS

A. Soil Test: Evaluate existing soil conditions and requirements before fertilizer selection and application to minimize use of all fertilizers and chemical products. Obtain approval of Contracting Officer’s

Representative for allowable products, product alternatives, scheduling and application procedures. Evaluate existing weather and site conditions before application. Apply products during favorable weather and site conditions according to manufacturer's instructions and warranty requirements. Fertilizers to be registered and approved by

EPA, acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction, and of type recommended by manufacturer applicable to specific areas as required for Project conditions and application. Provide commercial grade plant and turf fertilizers, free flowing, uniform in composition and conforms to applicable state and federal regulations.

B. Fertilizer for groundcover, wildflowers, and grasses is not acceptable.

Provide fertilizer for trees, plants, and shrubs as recommended by plant supplier, except synthetic chemical fertilizers are not acceptable. Fertilizers containing petrochemical additives or that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides are not acceptable.

C. Granular Fertilizer: Organic, granular controlled release fertilizer containing minimum percentages, by weight, of plant food nutrients.

1. Composition: Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, and iron in amounts recommended in soil reports from qualified soil-testing laboratory.

D. Fertilizer Tablets: Organic plant tablets composed of tightly compressed fertilizer chips, insoluble in water, to provide continuous release of nutrients for minimum 24 months and containing following minimum percentages, by weight, of plant food nutrients:

1. Nutrient Composition: 20 percent available nitrogen, 20 percent available phosphorous, and 5 percent available potassium.

2.8 WATER

A. Water: Source approved by Contracting Officer's Representative and suitable quality for irrigation, containing no elements toxic to plant life, including acids, alkalis, salts, chemical pollutants, and organic matter. Use collected storm water or graywater when available.

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2.9 PESTICIDES

A. Consider IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices to minimize use of all pesticides and chemical products. Obtain Contracting Officer's

Representative's approval for allowable products, product alternatives, scheduling and application procedures. Evaluate existing weather and site conditions before application. Apply products during favorable weather and site conditions according to manufacturer's instructions and warranty requirements.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 EXAMINATION

A. Examine areas to receive sod for compliance with requirements and conditions affecting installation and performance.

1. Verify that no materials that would inhibit plant growth are present in planting area. If such materials are present, remove soil and contaminants ad directed by Contracting Officer's Representative and provide new planting soil.

2. Do not mix or place soils and soil amendments in frozen, wet, or muddy conditions.

3. Suspend soil spreading, grading, and tilling operations if soil moisture becomes excessive. Resume soil preparations when moisture content returns to acceptable level.

4. If soil is excessively dry, not workable, and too dusty, moisten uniformly.

5. Special conditions may exist that warrant variance in specified planting dates or conditions. Submit written request to Contracting

Officer’s Representative stating special conditions and proposed variance.

B. Proceed with planting operations only after unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

3.2 PREPARATION

A. Protect existing and proposed landscape features, elements, and site construction and completed work from damage. Protect trees, vegetation, and other designated features by erecting high-visibility, reusable construction fencing. Locate fence no closer to trees than drip line.

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Plan equipment and vehicle access to minimize and confine soil disturbance and compaction to areas indicated on drawings.

B. Install erosion control materials at all areas inside or outside limits of construction that are disturbed by planting operations. Provide erosion control and seeding with native plant species to protect slopes.

3.3 SODDING

A. Place sod maximum 36 hours after initial harvesting according to

TPI GSS, except as modified herein.

B. For slopes 2 to 1 and greater, lay sod with long edge perpendicular to contour. For V-ditches and flat bottomed ditches, lay sod with long edge perpendicular to water flow. Anchor each piece of sod with wood pegs or wire staples maximum 600 mm (24 inches) on center. On sloped areas, start sodding at bottom of slope.

C. Finishing: After sodding, blend edges of sodded area smoothly into surrounding area. Eliminate air pockets and provide true and even surface. Trim frayed areas and patch holes and missing areas with sod.

D. Rolling: Immediately after sodding, firm entire area, except slopes in excess of 3: 1, with roller maximum 134 kg (90 lbs.) for each foot of roller width.

E. Watering: Start watering sodded areas as required by daily temperature and wind conditions. Water at rate sufficient to ensure thorough wetting of soil to minimum 150 mm (6 inches) deep. Prevent run-off, puddling, and wilting. Do not drive watering trucks over turf areas, unless otherwise directed. Prevent watering of other adjacent areas or plant materials.

3.4 TURF RENOVATION

A. General: Restore to original condition existing turf areas damaged during turf installation and construction operations. Keep at least one paved pedestrian access route and one paved vehicular access route to each building clean at all times. Clean other paving when work in adjacent areas is complete.

B. Aeration: Eradicate weeds and, with Contracting Officer's

Representative's approval to proceed, aerate turf areas with approved device.

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C. Vertical Mowing: At completion of aerating and, with Contracting

Officer's Representative's approval to proceed, vertical mow turf areas indicated on drawings with approved device..

D. Dethatching: At completion of aerating and, with Contracting Officer's

Representative's approval to proceed, dethatch turf areas. Remove all debris generated during this operation off site.

E. Overseeding: Apply seed according to applicable portions of "Seed

Application Method" at rates specified in "Seed Composition."

3.5 SLOPE EROSION CONTROL MAINTENANCE

A. Provide slope erosion control maintenance to prevent undermining of all slopes in newly sodded and natural growth areas within the project area. Maintenance tasks include immediate repairs to weak spots in sloped areas maintaining clean, clear culverts, and securing irrigation systems during periods of extended rainfall.

1. Fill eroded areas with amended topsoil and replant with sod.

2. Reinstall erosion control materials damaged due to slope erosion.

3.6 REMOVAL OF DYING OR DEAD PLANTS

A. Remove dead and dying sod and provide new sod immediately upon commencement of specified planting season. No additional correction period will be required for replacement sod beyond original warranty period. Sod will be considered dead or dying as follows:

1. Minimum 20 percent of sod died.

2. Determination: Scrape on maximum 2 mm (1/16 inch) square branch area to determine dying plant material cause and provide recommendations for replacement.

3.7 TURF MAINTENANCE

A. Mow turf to uniform finished height measured from soil. Perform mowing in manner that prevents scalping, rutting, bruising, uneven and rough cutting. Before mowing, remove and dispose of all rubbish, debris, trash, leaves, rocks, paper, and limbs or branches on turf areas. Sweep or vacuum clean adjacent paved areas.

B. Apply fertilizer in manner that promotes health, growth, vigor, color and appearance of cultivated turf areas. Determine method of application, fertilizer type and frequencies by results of laboratory soil analysis. Provide organic fertilizer. If organic fertilizer does not produce desired effect, contact Contracting Officer's

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Representative for approval before applying synthetic fertilizer. Apply fertilizer by approved methods and according to manufacturer's instructions.

C. Watering: Perform irrigation in manner that promotes health, growth, color, and appearance of cultivated vegetation, complying with Federal, State, and local water agency and authority directives. Prevent overwatering, water run-off, erosion, and ponding due to excessive quantities or rate of application.

3.8 CLEANING

A. Remove and legally dispose of all excess soil and planting debris.

3.9 PROTECTION

A. Protect sod from traffic and construction operations.

B. Provide temporary fences or enclosures and signage, at planted areas.

Maintain fences and enclosures during maintenance period.

C. Remove protective materials immediately before acceptance.

D. Repair damage.

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