329219_Seeding_and_Mulching.pdf

FEF LODGE SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 329219 - 1

SEEDING AND MULCHING

SECTION 329219

SEEDING AND MULCHING

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This work shall consist of preparing seedbeds and furnishing and placing required seed (Government-furnished), fertilizer, limestone, mulch, and net and blanket material.

1.2 MEASUREMENT

A. Area computations will be upon surface measurements.

1.3 PAYMENT

A. The accepted quantities will be paid for at the contract unit price for each pay item shown in the BID SCHEDULE.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.1 REQUIREMENTS

A. Materials shall meet the requirements of the following:

1. Agricultural Limestone (NOT USED)

2. Fertilizer:

a. Fertilizer shall be a standard commercial grade and provide the minimum percentage of available nutrients specified below:

b. Fertilizer shall be furnished in new, clean, and sealed containers with the name, weight, and guaranteed analysis of contents clearly marked.

Fertilizer failing to meet the specified analysis may be used providing sufficient materials are applied to supply the specified nutrients without additional cost to the Government.

c. A liquid form of fertilizer containing the minimum percentage of available nutrients may be used.

3. Seed:

a. Seed shall be Government-furnished.

4. Mulch:

FEF LODGE SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 329219 - 2

a. Wood Chips: Wood chips shall be obtained from green hardwood. They shall be 1/8-inch nominal thickness with 50 percent having an area of not less than 1 square inch, and not more than 6 square inches. All wood chip mulch shall be free of leaves, twigs, shavings, bark, or materials injurious to plant growth. Wood chips from elm trees will not be used when State or Federal regulation prohibits such use, or when the trees are diseased.

b. Straw: Straw for mulching shall be from grain crops that are free from noxious weeds, mold, or other objectionable material. Straw mulch shall be in an air-dry condition and suitable for placing with mulch blower equipment.

c. Hay: Grass hay shall be of approved herbaceous mowing, free of noxious weeds, mold, or other objectionable material. Grass hay shall be in an air-dry condition and suitable for placing with mulch blower equipment.

d. Wood Cellulose Fiber: Natural wood cellulose fiber mulch shall be produced from clean; whole wood chips and has the property of dispersing readily in water. The material shall contain no weed seed and shall be heat-processed to eliminate factors that inhibit growth and germination.

The material shall have no toxic effect when combined with seed or other materials and shall have the following physical and chemical properties:

Moisture Content 7-13%

Organic Matter (Oven-dried Basis) .99.1% min.

Ash Content 0.9% max.

pH @ 3% Concentration .4.7 to 7.0 pH

Water-holding Capacity . 200% by weighton oven dry basis.

The material shall readily blend with water, grass seed, fertilizer, and other additives to form a homogeneous slurry or mixture capable of application with power spray equipment. A colored dye that is noninjurious to plant growth and that fades rapidly with exposure to light may be used. Wood cellulose fiber shall be packaged in new, labeled containers in an air-dry condition.

e. Sawdust: Sawdust shall be obtained from wood that has not been subjected to conditions that would cause the sawdust to lose its value or usefulness as mulch. Sawdust shall not contain any toxic substances and shall be aged.

f. Peat Moss: Peat moss shall be a granulated sphagnum peat moss nearly free of woody substances consisting of at least 75 percent of partially decomposed stems and leaves of sphagnum and essentially brown in color.

The texture may vary from porous fibrous to spongy fibrous and shall be free of sticks, stones, and mineral matter. Peat moss shall be in an air-dry condition, show an acid reaction of 3.5 pH to 5.5 pH, and meet State and

Federal regulations.

FEF LODGE SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 329219 - 3

g. Peat Humus: Peat humus shall be natural peat or peat humus from fresh water-saturated areas, consisting of sedge, sphagnum, or reed peat and be of a physical condition that will pass through a 1/2-inch mesh screen. The humus shall be free of sticks, stones, roots, and other objectionable materials. Samples taken at the source of supplies shall have the following characteristics when analyzed:

Acidity range . . . . . . . . . .. 4.0 to 7.5 pH

Minimum water absorbing ability. 200 percent by weight

Minimum organic content .60 percent when dried at 105 C

1) Freshly excavated peat, if saturated with water, shall be stored for a sufficient length of time to condition it for workability.

h. Grass Straw Cellulose Fiber: Natural or cooked straw (grass processed to remove seed) cellulose fiber shall have the property of dispersing readily in water and shall have no toxic effect when combined with seed or other materials. The processed fiber shall contain no growth inhibiting factors or weed seed. The homogeneous slurry or mixture shall be capable of application with power spray equipment. A green colored dye that is noninjurious to plant growth may be used. The fiber shall be packaged in new, labeled containers, shall be of uniform weight (plus or minus 5 percent) in an air-dry condition, and shall bear the name of the manufacturer and the air-dry weight content. The fiber shall meet the following characteristics when tested:

Acidity range 6.5 - 7.5 pH

Moisture content (packaged fiber). 8 - 12%

Organic Matter 90.0 - 100.0%

Ash Content 0.0 - 10.0%

1) The contractor shall submit a Certificate of Compliance from the supplier that states their product meets all of the foregoing requirements, based on laboratory and field tests.

i. Other: Mulch products made of other materials intended for this purpose shall be as specified below:

5. Erosion Control Net & Blanket Material (Not Used)

6. Water:

FEF LODGE SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 329219 - 4

a. Water used in the planting or care of vegetation shall Water be free of oils, acids, alkalis salts, or any substance injurious to plant life. The CO shall approve water sources.

B. Tackifier shall be emulsified asphalt Grade SS-1, SS-1h or CSS-1.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 SEEDING SEASONS

A. The normal seasonal dates for seeding shall be as specified below. Seeding materials shall not be applied during windy weather or when the ground is excessively wet or frozen. Work shall be performed during each specified seeding season on all completed and previously untreated sections.

3.2 SOIL PREPARATION

A. The areas to be seeded shall be finished as required by other applicable Sections to the lines and grades SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS. Areas that are damaged by erosion or other causes shall be restored. The surface soil shall be in a roughened condition favorable for germination and growth. Limestone, when required, shall be applied uniformly either prior to or after soil preparation at the rate specified below:

3.3 APPLICATION METHODS FOR SEED, FERTILIZER, & LIMESTONE

A. Material shall be placed by the Dry Method.

1. Hydraulic Method: The seed or seed and fertilizer shall be mixed with water in the amounts and mixtures specified below to produce slurry and then applied under pressure at the rates specified below. When wood cellulose or grass straw mulch materials are to be incorporated as an integral part of the slurry mix, they shall be added after all other materials have been thoroughly mixed in the tank.

a. Legume seed shall be inoculated with approved cultures in accordance with instructions of the manufacturer. The inoculums used for hydraulic seeding shall be four times that recommended for dry seeding.

b. Dry Method: Mechanical seeders, seed drills, landscape seeders, cultipacker seeders, fertilizer spreaders, or other approved mechanical seeding equipment shall be used to apply the seed or seed and fertilizer in the amounts and mixtures specified below:

1) Fertilizer in dry form and ground limestone shall be spread separately at the rates specified below and incorporated in one operation into the upper portion of the seedbed before seeding.

2) Hand-operated seeding devices may be used when seed, fertilizer, and ground limestone are applied in dry form.

FEF LODGE SEPTIC SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS 329219 - 5

3.4 APPLICATION OF MULCH

A. Mulch shall be placed by the Dry Method.

1. Hydraulic Method: Wood cellulose or grass straw fiber mulch and fertilizer may be applied in one operation by means of hydraulic equipment that uses water as the carrying agent. A continuous agitator action that keeps the materials in uniform suspension must be maintained throughout the distribution cycle. The discharge line shall provide an even distribution of the solution to the seedbed. Mulching shall not be done in the presence of free surface water.

2. Application to areas, AS DIRECTED BY THE FOREST SERVICE, shall start at the top of the slope and work downward. If necessary, the use of extension hoses may be required to reach the extremities of slopes. The rate of application shall be as specified below: Wood Chip or Wood Cellulose Fiber – 1,500 pounds per acre.

3. Dry Method: Mulch shall be applied after seeding and fertilizing are completed.

The mulch shall be applied uniformly at the rate specified below. Mulch shall be Wood Chips, or Wood Cellulose Fiber.

4. When a binder is to be used for mulch, the material shall be applied at the rate specified below. It shall be immediately distributed evenly over the mulch. The contractor shall prevent asphalt adhesive materials from marking or defacing structures, appurtenances, pavements, utilities, or plant growth.

B. Installation of Netting & Erosion control Blankets: (Not Used)

C. Care During Construction:

1. The contractor shall be responsible for protecting and caring for seeded areas until final acceptance of the work. The contractor shall repair all damage to seeded areas caused by his construction operations without additional compensation.

END OF SECTION 329219