32_92_00_Turf_and_Grasses-Rev20161103.pdf

U.S. General Services Adminstration Mid-Atlantic Region

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 1 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

PART 1 – GENERAL

1.01. SECTION INCLUDES:

A. Summary B. Laws and Regulations C. Safety D. Submittals E. Fertilizer F. Temporary Stabilization Seed Mixture G. Permanent Upland Wildflower and Grass Seed Mixture H. Wetland Creation and Riparian Zone Restoration Seed Mixture I. DRCC Stream Corridor Restoration and Swale Seed Mixture I.J. Seeding J.K. Seeding by Spray Machine K.L. Placing Erosion Control Mat L.M. Maintenance Period M.N. Acceptance

1.02. SUMMARY:

A. Contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, and equipment for maintenance and performing all operations in connection with the installation of temporary and permanent seeding to establish a protective vegetative cover as indicated on the Construction Drawings and as specified herein.

1.03. LAWS AND REGULATIONS:

A. All work under this Contract shall be accomplished in accordance with regulations of local, county, State and Federal agencies and utility authority standards as they apply.

1.04. SAFETY:

A. Methods of operation utilized in work related to these specifications shall be such as to provide maximum protection against injury or death to workmen or the public.

Requirements of the United States and New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Acts as to safety regulations and procedures shall be adhered to for all work covered under these specifications.

1.05. SUBMITTALS:

A. The Contractor shall contact the local Rutgers Cooperative Extension System office to obtain recommendations for application of lime, fertilizer, and seed based on the selected topsoil characteristics. The Contractor shall forward a copy of the recommendations to the Construction Manager including any proposed modifications to the seed mix, lime, and fertilizer application rates as identified herein.

B. The Contractor shall submit to the Construction Manager for review and approval written certification signed by the material supplier, stating that the lime, fertilizer, seed, and mulch meet specification requirements. Seed submittal shall include a listing of seed

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 2 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx types and proportions included in the proposed seed mixture. The seed supplier shall also provide certificates relative to seed mixture purity and germinating value.

C. The Contractor shall submit seed bag tags, receipts, truck weight tickets, and other information necessary to confirm application rates and types for seed, fertilizer, lime, and mulch, as applicable.

D. If the Contractor proposes use of a hydroseeding operation, the following items must be provided:

1. A certified statement shall be furnished, prior to start of work, to the Construction Manager by the Contractor as to the number of pounds of limestone, fertilizer, and grass seed per 100 gallons of water.

2. The statement should also specify the number of square yards of seeding that can be covered with the solution specified above. If the results of the spray operation are unsatisfactory, the Contractor will be required to abandon this method and to apply the lime, fertilizer, and grass seed by other methods.

PART 2 – PRODUCTS

2.01 FERTILIZER:

A. Fertilizer shall be uniform in composition, free flowing and suitable for application with approved equipment. Fertilizer shall be delivered to the site in bags or other convenient containers printed with the Manufacturer’s name, material, weight and guaranteed analysis. The material shall have an activity index of 40 to 50 percent as determined by tests in accordance with the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.

B. Minimum requirements for fertilizer application are as follows:

Constituent % Passing by Weight Nitrogen (N) 10 Phosphorous (P) 10 Potassium (K) 10 Minimum application rate shall be 7.511 pounds per 1,000 square feet

C. Fertilizer will not be applied to wetland or riparian zone restoration areas.

D. Lime application rates (per 1,000 square feet) will be as follows: for pH 4.5 - 5 = 150 lbs;

for pH 5 - 5.5 = 100 lbs; for ph 5.5 - 6 = 50 lbs; for pH 6 - 6.8 = 25 lbs; for pH greater than

6.8 no lime will be applied. No Lime will be used in wetland restoration areas.

C.E. The application rates identified above are to be used as guidelines. The actual rate of application may be adjusted based on the proposed topsoil characteristics and the recommendations of the local Rutgers Cooperative Extension System office.

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 3 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

2.02 TEMPORARY STABILIZATION SEED MIXTURE:

A. Seed for temporary stabilization shall be of an approved mixture, the previous year’s crop, clean, high in germinating value, and low in weed seed. Seed shall be obtained from a reliable seed company and shall be accompanied by certificates relative to mixture purity and germinating value, which shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

B. Temporary stabilization seed shall be Perennial Ryegrass applied at 100 lbs./acre (110 lbs./acre if hydroseed application) or other seed approved by the Construction Manager.

2.03 PERMANENT UPLAND WILDFLOWER AND GRASS SEED MIXTURE:

A. Permanent upland wildflower and grass seed mixture shall be hand broadcast, mechanically broadcast or hydro-seeded throughout the site (except for special areas otherwise specified herein, including (1) wetland restoration areas, (2) wetland transition area restoration areas, (3) riparian zone restoration areas, (4) Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission (DRCC) Stream Corridor restoration areas, and (5) 50-foot Landscaped Residential Buffer swale seed mix areas) to create a herbaceous groundcover layer.

A.B. Permanent upland wildflower and grass seed mixture shall be of an approved mixture, the previous year's crop, clean, high in germinating value, and low in weed seed. Seed shall be obtained from a reliable seed company and shall be accompanied by certificates relative to mixture purity and germinating value, which shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

C. Permanent upland wildflower and grass seed mixture shall ideally be planted between April 1 and June 15, or between August 15 and October 15. The Contractor shall work with the Construction Manager to develop a seeding schedule if seeding is proposed to be performed outside of these timeframes.

B.

C. Permanent seed mixture shall consist of the following mix, at a minimum:

Type Application rate, lb/acre Hydroseed Application Rate, lb/acre

Tall Fescue 20 22 Creeping Red Fescue 20 22 Perennial ryegrass 2 2.5 Redtop 2 2.5

D. Acceptable permanent upland wildflower and grass seed mixes include ERNST Seed Mix (Mesic to Dry Native Pollinator Mix), whose components and application rate are listed below. Comparable alternative sources may be approved by the Construction Manager.

Seed Mix Common Name Scientific name

ERNST Seed Mix Mesic to Dry Native

Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Riverbank Wildrye Elymus riparius

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 4 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

Seed Mix Common Name Scientific name Pollinator Mix

Seed application rate: 20 lb per acre or according to latest manufacturer’s recommendation for the individual seed mix.

Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Sideoats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula Blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Blue Vervain Verbena hastate Blue False Indigo Baptisia australis Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca White Avens Geum canadense Roundhead Lespedeza Lespedeza capitate Wild Senna Senna hebecarpa Eastern Columbine Aquilegia Canadensis Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa

E. A nurse/cover crop may be required in these areas depending on conditions.

Nurse/cover crop may be cereal rye (Secale cereal), oats (Avena sativa) or other species as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. Application rates shall be as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. The use of nurse/cover crop, as well as species and application rates shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

2.04 WETLAND CREATION AND RIPARIAN ZONE RESTORATION SEED MIXTURE:

A. A wetland and riparian zone restoration area seed mixture shall be hand broadcast, mechanically broadcast or hydro-seeded throughout the (1) wetland restoration areas, (2) wetland transition area restoration areas and (3) riparian zone restoration areas to create a herbaceous groundcover layer. The wetland restoration areas, wetland transition area restoration areas and riparian zone restoration areas are shown on the approved New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Freshwater Wetland and Flood Hazard Area permit plans.

A.B. Wetland creation and riparian zone restoration area seed mixture shall be of an approved mixture, the previous year's crop, clean, high in germinating value, and low in weed seed.

Seed shall be obtained from a reliable seed company and shall be accompanied by certificates relative to mixture purity and germinating value, which shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

B.C. Wetland creation and riparian zone restoration area seed mixture shall ideally be planted between April 1 and June 15, or between August 15 and October 15. The Contractor shall work with the Construction Manager to develop a seeding schedule if seeding is proposed to be performed outside of these timeframes.

C.D. Acceptable wetland and riparian zone restoration area wetland seed mixes include ERNST Seed Mix (FACW Meadow Mix), whose components and application rate are

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 5 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx listed below. Comparable alternative sources may be approved by the Construction Manager.

Seed Mix Common Name Scientific name

ERNST Seed Mix FACW Meadow Mix

Seed application rate: 20 lb per acre or according to latest Seed application rates should follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the individual seed mix.

Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea Hop Sedge Carex lupulina Blunt Broom Sedge Carex scoparia Bladder (Star) Sedge Carex intumescens Virginia Wildrye, Elymus virginicus Oxeye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides Narrowleaf Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium angustifolia Seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia Rattlesnake Grass, Glyceria canadensis Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica Water Plantain Alisma subcordatum Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum Lurid Sedge Carex lurida Soft Rush Juncus effusus Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis Green Bulrush Scirpus atrovirens Woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus Spotted Joe-pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum Blue Vervain Verbana hastata Ditch Stonecrop Penthorum sedoides Monkey Flower Mimulus ringens New England Aster Aster novae-angliae Flat-Top White Aster Aster umbellatus Slender Mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

E. A nurse/cover crop may be required in these areas depending on conditions.

Nurse/cover crop may be cereal rye (Secale cereal), oats (Avena sativa) or other species as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. Application rates shall be as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. The use of nurse/cover crop, as well as species and application rates shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 6 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

2.05 DRCC STREAM CORRIDOR RESTORATION AND SWALE SEED MIXTURE:

A. A DRCC stream corridor restoration and swale seed mixture shall be hand broadcast, mechanically broadcast or hydro-seeded throughout the (1) Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission (DRCC) Stream Corridor restoration areas and (2) within the swale seed mix areas associated with the 50-foot Landscaped Residential Buffer to create a herbaceous groundcover layer. The DRCC Stream Corridor restoration areas are shown on the approved New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Freshwater Wetland and Flood Hazard Area permit plans and on DRCC-approved plans. The swale seed mix areas are shown on the Landscaped Buffer Plans, Sheets LP-111 through LP-

115. Portions of the DRCC stream corridors and 50-foot residential landscaped buffer swale intersect with wetland restoration areas, wetland transition area restoration areas and riparian zone restoration areas. This seed mixture is only to be used within portions of the DRCC stream corridors and swale seed mix areas that are beyond (i.e., not coincident with) the wetland and riparian zone restoration area seed mixture areas described in 2.04 above.

B. DRCC stream corridor restoration and swale seed mixture shall be of an approved mixture, the previous year's crop, clean, high in germinating value, and low in weed seed.

Seed shall be obtained from a reliable seed company and shall be accompanied by certificates relative to mixture purity and germinating value, which shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

C. DRCC stream corridor restoration and swale seed mixture shall ideally be planted between April 1 and June 15, or between August 15 and October 15. The Contractor shall work with the Construction Manager to develop a seeding schedule if seeding is proposed to be performed outside of these timeframes.

D. Acceptable DRCC stream corridor restoration and swale seed mixes include ERNST Seed Mix (PA Piedmont Province Riparian Mix), whose components and application rate are listed below. Comparable alternative sources may be approved by the Construction Manager.

Seed Mix Common Name Scientific name

ERNST Seed Mix PA Piedmont Province

Riparian Mix

Seed application rate: 20 lb per acre or according to latest manufacturer’s recommendation for the individual seed mix.

Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Riverbank Wildrye Elymus riparius Virginia Wildrye Elymus virginicus Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea Deertongue Panicum clandestinum Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculate Mistflower Eupatorium coelestinum Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Soft Rush Juncus effusus Wild Senna Senna hebecarpa New England Aster Aster novae-angliae

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 7 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

Seed Mix Common Name Scientific name Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Autumn Bentgrass Agrostis perennans Blue Vervain Verbena hastata Redtop Panicgrass Panicum rigidulum Oxeye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis Many Leaved Bulrush Scirpus polyphyllus Flat Topped White Aster Aster umbellatus Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum Turk's Cap Lily Lilium superbum Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Purplestem Aster Aster puniceus Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium fistulosum

E. A nurse/cover crop may be required in these areas depending on conditions.

Nurse/cover crop may be cereal rye (Secale cereal), oats (Avena sativa) or other species as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. Application rates shall be as recommended by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension office or Soil Conservation District. The use of nurse/cover crop, as well as species and application rates shall be subject to Construction Manager review and approval.

PART 3 – EXECUTION

3.01 SEEDING:

A. Prior to seeding the surface shall be prepared in accordance with Section 31 22 00 (Backfill and Grading) and fertilizer and lime shall be uniformly applied and incorporated into the surface as nearly as practical to a depth of 4 inches (except within wetland restoration areas where no fertilizer or lime will be used).

A.B. Permanent seeding shall be performed when weather conditions are approved as suitable, unless otherwise directed by the Construction Manager.

B.C. If there is a delay in seeding during which time topsoil is washed out or otherwise disturbed by natural elements, the Contractor shall replace the topsoil before sowing the seed without additional compensation. Surface preparation as described inherein and as described in Section 31 22 00 (Backfill and Grading) Part 3.1 of this Specification must be reinitiated, if required by the Construction Manager.

C.D. Seed shall be applied uniformly by hand, cyclone seeder, drill, cultipacker type seeder, or hydroseeder at the rate specified in Part 2 of this Specification.

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 8 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx

D.E. One half the seed shall be sown in one direction and the other half at right angles to the first half. Except in the case of hydroseeding, seed shall be incorporated into the soil via raking to a depth of ¼ to ½ inch within 24 hours of sowing. After seeding, soil shall be firmed using a corrugated roller or other technique suitable to the Construction Manager.

F. The Contractor shall be responsible for keeping the seeded surface moist until the grass shows uniform germination over the entire area. Wherever poor germination occurs in areas larger than 3 square feet, the Contractor shall reseed, roll, and water as necessary to obtain proper germination.

G. Mulching is required on all seeding. Mulch shall consist of unrotted small grain straw or salt hay free of seeds, to be applied at a rate of 70 to 90 pounds per 1,000 square feet.

Anchoring shall be accomplished immediately after placement with a wood and fiber mulch binder, liquid mulch binder, or by equal measures as approved by the Construction Manager.

3.02 SEEDING BY SPRAY MACHINE:

A. The application of lime fertilizer and seed mixture may be accomplished in one operation by the use of an approved spraying machine. The materials shall be mixed with water in the machine and kept in an agitated state in order to keep materials uniformly suspended in the water.

B. The spraying equipment shall be so designed that when the solution is sprayed over an area, the resulting deposits of lime, fertilizer, and grass seed shall be equal to the specified quantities.

C. Mulch may not be applied with the seed but may be applied in a separate application.

Hydroseeding is not preferred but allowable on steep slopes if approved by the Construction Manager.

3.03 PLACING EROSION CONTROL MAT:

A. Erosion control mat shall be installed following Construction Manager-approval of placement of topsoil and seed.

3.04 MAINTENANCE PERIOD:

A. The maintenance period for this Work shall begin immediately after all areas are seeded and shall continue in accordance with the following requirements:

1. All seeded areas and planted areas shall have suitable signs erected at important points, notifying the public to keep off.

2. Minor vandalism or other damage to the seeded areas shall be the responsibility of the Subcontractor until all Work receives Final Acceptance by the Construction Manager. Major vandalism or damage caused by others through no fault of the Subcontractor or Sub-subcontractor shall be brought to the attention of the Construction Manager who will be the sole judge as to the extent of such

Public Buildings Service

SECTION 32 92 00

TURF AND GRASSES

100% Design – Issue for Bid 32 92 00 - 9 October 19, 2016November 3, 2016 \\uspsw2pfpsw001\data\Data_USPSW2VFP001\Environment\Piscataway\Project\GSA\60436364 Belle Mead Design\500 Deliverables\503 North Parcel Issue for Bid Design\Specifications\32 - Exterior Improvements\32 92 00 Turf and Grasses.docx damage. If such damage is deemed to be major by the Engineer, any Work necessary to repair the seeded area to an acceptable condition shall not be the responsibility of the Subcontractor.

3. Acts of God: Minor damage to the seeded and planted areas shall be the responsibility of the Subcontractor until all Work receives Final Acceptance by the Construction Manager. Major damage caused by flood, hail storm, wind, or large rain storm, and through no fault of the Subcontractor to protect the Work, shall immediately be brought to the attention of the Construction Manager who will be the sole judge as to the extent of such damage. Major damage shall not be the responsibility of the Subcontractor.

3.05 ACCEPTANCE:

A. Upon completion of all seeding operations, the Subcontractor will notify the Construction Manager to inspect the Work. Upon inspection, if all Work is acceptable, the Construction Manager shall record that date and shall issue a “Conditional Acceptance” letter which shall state that the Subcontractor shall maintain all seeded areas as specified below.

B. For a period of 730 calendar days minimum, which shall be referred to as the “Seeded Area Maintenance Period.” At the end of this period, the seeded areas shall be given “Final Acceptance” if the seed has germinated and there are no bare areas larger than 10 square feet and consist of at least 75 percent native species. All bare areas larger than 10 square feet in diameter shall be reseeded.

C. Release from the 3 year warranty for the restoration project is contingent upon the vegetation meeting the performance criteria described herein.

D. At the end of the maintenance period, the Construction Manager shall, within five (5) calendar days, inspect the Work, and if the Work is acceptable, shall relieve the Subcontractor from further obligations for seeding Work only. Final acceptance of seeding Work may be given independently of final acceptance of all Work under this Contract.

END OF SECTION