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HomeMy WebLinkAbout329204 - Sod LawnsSECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 1 SECTION 329204 – SOD LAWNS PART 1 - GENERAL 1.1 DESCRIPTION A. Work in this section consists of furnishing all plant, labor, equipment, and performing all operations in connection with finish grading of topsoil and preparation thereof to receive sod, maintenance and protection of all sodded areas. B. All exterior lawn areas shall be sodded as shown on Plans. 1.2 RELATED WORK DESCRIBED ELSEWHERE A. Irrigation System - Section 328400 B. Trees, Shrubs, & Groundcovers – Section 329300 C. Edging - Section 329413 1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE A. Qualifications of Workmen 1. Provide at least one person who shall be present at all times during execution of this portion of the work and who shall be thoroughly familiar with the type of materials being installed and the best methods for their installation and who shall direct all work performed under this section. 1.4 PRODUCT HANDLING A. Protection 1. Upon delivery of sod to the work site use all means necessary to protect and maintain the sod before, during, and after installation and to protect the installed work and materials of all other trades. B. Replacements 1. In the event of rejection of the sod, immediately make all replacements necessary to the approval of the Owner's Representative and at no additional cost to the Owner. C. Notice to Proceed SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 2 1. The Contractor shall not proceed with sodding operations until the irrigation system has been tested and approved by the Owner's Representative and the finish grade has been approved by the Owner's Representative. 1.5 SUBMITTALS A. Certification: Provide product data on the following materials: 1. Seed mixes 2. Fertilizer: Mix design based on topsoil test results. 3. Topsoil sample- 1 gallon 4. Test results for imported topsoil. 5. Amendments recommended by topsoil test report. 6. Documentation of fertilizer and amendment quantities. B. Equipment: Provide list of equipment to be used for the following tasks: 1. Incorporation of amendments and fertilizer into topsoil. PART 2 - MATERIALS 2.1 SOD A. General 1. Grass and sod shall be well established lawn grass turf of approved grasses. It shall be vigorous, well-rooted, healthy turf, free from disease, insect pests, weeds, other grasses, stones, and any other harmful or deleterious matter. Cut sod in uniformly wide strips, uniformly 1-1/2 inches thick with clean cut edges. Sod shall be rolled or folded prior to lifting. Handling of sod shall be done in a manner that will prevent tearing, breaking, drying, or any other damage. 2. Sod shall be installed in place on the site not more than 24 hours after cutting. B. Material 1. Minimum 75 percent bluegrass and not less than 85 percent permanent grass suitable to the climate; not more than 5 percent weed and undesirable grasses; free from roots, stones, and foreign materials. Subject to approval by the Owner's Representative. 2.2 FERTILIZER A. General 1. Fertilizer to be spread on areas to be sodded shall be commercially prepared. 2. Commercial fertilizer shall be complete, uniform in composition, dry and free- flowing. The fertilizer shall be delivered to the site in the original waterproof containers, each bearing the manufacturer's statement of analysis. B. Protection SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 3 1. If stored at the site, protect fertilizer from the elements at all times. 2.3 GYPSUM A. General 1. If required, all gypsum to be commercially prepared agricultural gypsum. Gypsum shall be uniform in composition, dry and free-flowing. All gypsum shall be minimum 85% calcium sulfate, maximum 1/8" particle size. The gypsum shall be delivered to the site in the original waterproof containers, each bearing the manufacturer's statement of analysis. B. Special Protection 1. If stored at the site, protect gypsum from the elements at all times. 2.4 ORGANIC MATERIAL A. If required, all organic material shall be commercially prepared compost. Test results shall be submitted to the Owner’s Representative. The Owner's Representative shall approve all organic material at the source before any organic material is delivered to the job site. B. Approved products 1. ½” minus premium compost supplied by Rocky Mountain Compost, Inc., Billings, MT, 406-245-4817. 2. EKO Original Compost supplied by EKO Compost, Missoula, MT, 800-746-5947. 3. Equal approved in advance by Owner’s Representative. Requests for substitutions shall be accompanied by test results by licensed laboratory before use. All costs for testing shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. C. All organic material shall be commercially prepared compost. Compost shall be a well decomposed, stable, weed free organic matter source and meet the following parameters. 1. pH 5.5 – 8.5 2. Soluble Salts < 5 dS/m (mmhos/cm) 3. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) < 10 4. Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio < 25:1 5. Moisture Content 25 – 50% (wet weight basis) 6. Organic Matter > 35 %% (dry weight basis) 7. Inert Contaminants < 1% (dry weight basis) 8. Particle Size 100% passing 1/2” screen 9. Free of substances that are toxic to plants. D. Compost test results for substitutions shall be submitted to the Owner’s Representative. The Owner's Representative shall approve all organic material at the source before any organic material is delivered to the job site. All testing is the responsibility of the Contractor. SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 4 2.5 TOPSOIL A. Imported Topsoil 1. Imported topsoil shall be used for this project. 2. Imported topsoil shall be loose, friable, loamy soil free of excess acid and alkali. Topsoil shall not contain objectionable amount of sod, hard lumps, gravel, sub- soil, sticks, roots, trash, or other undesirable material. Topsoil shall be free of stones 1 inch or larger. Imported topsoil must be tested and approved prior to importing. Submit certification that topsoil has supported growth of healthy crops, turf, etc. prior to importing. 3. Topsoil shall comply with ASTM D 5268. Provide topsoil analysis by a qualified soil-testing laboratory stating the material meets the following requirements: Parameter Minimum Maximum Optimal a. pH: 5.5 8.0 6.5 b. Nitrates, mg/kg 1.0 150 20 c. Organic matter (%): 2 10 > 3.0 d. Olsen Phosphorus (mg/kg): 1 150 > 50 e. Potassium (mg/kg): 100 1500 > 500 f. Sodium (meq/100g): n/a 2.0 < 1.0 g. Calcium (meq/100g): 0.2 5.0 > 0.3 h. Sulfate (mg/kg): 1 1,500 > 20 i. Conductivity (mmhos/cm): n/a 2.0 < 1.0 j. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) n/a 6.0 k. Lime (qualitative): n/a Moderate Slight l. Sand (%): 15 60 m. Silt (%): 10 60 n. Clay (%): 5 30 o. Zinc p. Iron q. Copper r. Manganese 4. Topsoil testing shall be performed by Energy Laboratories in Billings, Montana, (406) 252-6325. Test results shall be reviewed by a certified agronomist. Test results shall be reported in the units listed above. Test results shall also include certified recommendations for amendments and fertilizers required to adjust topsoil to meet the specified “Optimal” requirements. Contractor shall pay for all costs associated with testing. Contractor shall apply any necessary amendments and fertilizers at no additional cost to the Owner. Test results that do not include all items a – r will be rejected. 5. The soils test results shall be dated no later than 60 days prior to conducting the topsoil pre-installation meeting. 6. Contractor shall supply invoices/receipts for all amendments and fertilizers recommended by the topsoil test results within 15 days of purchase. Include calculations showing how quantities were determined. B. Pre-Installation Meeting/Soils Approval or Certification 1. Prior to commencing any landscape work, a pre-installation meeting shall be scheduled and attended. The Contractor shall provide 2 weeks notice minimum to the Landscape Architect so that the meeting can be scheduled. The meeting shall be scheduled until the topsoil test results have been reviewed. The following are required to be in attendance. SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 5 a. Landscape & Irrigation Contractor b. Earthwork Contractor if placing topsoil. c. General Contractor d. Landscape Architect 2. The pre-installation meeting will address the following: a. The approved landscape and irrigation plan and requirements of the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards Manual; b. Timing of required inspections including the final inspection to obtain a certificate of completion; c. Soil amendment requirements and the process for approval of installed soil, including the party responsible for soils inspection; d. Discussion of the day and hours for irrigation scheduling after installation; e. The process required for making changes to the approved landscape and irrigation plan; and f. Installation of landscaping and irrigation according to the approved landscaping and irrigation plan and requirements of the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irrigation Performance and Design Standards Manual, which is required to receive a final certificate of occupancy or releasing a security as provided by an improvement’s agreement. C. Approval of Topsoil Placement and Amendments 1. The Contractor shall notify the Landscape Architect following placement of the topsoil and incorporation of all amendments to schedule an inspection by the Water Conservation Division. Installation of plant material and other landscape feature shall not begin until the City approves the soil preparation. PART 3 - EXECUTION 3.1 SURFACE CONDITIONS A. Inspection 1. Prior to all work of this section, carefully inspect the installed work of all other trades and verify that all such work is complete to the point where this installation may properly commence. 2. Verify that seeding may be completed in accordance with the original design and the referenced standards. B. Discrepancies 1. In the event of discrepancy, immediately notify the Owner's Representative. 2. Do not proceed with installation in areas of discrepancy until all such discrepancies have been fully resolved. 3. Beginning of installation means acceptance of existing conditions by installer. 3.2 TOPSOIL PLACEMENT A. Compaction Prevention SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 6 1. The Use of heavy equipment will not be permitted on the site when soil conditions are wet to prevent compaction of topsoil and subsoil. In the event of wet weather, the Owner's Representative shall determine whether or not the use of heavy equipment will be permitted. Decision of the Owner's Representative shall be final. B. Spreading Topsoil 1. Spread topsoil to a uniform compacted depth of six inches minimum. Topsoil and subgrade shall be in a dry condition before spreading. Topsoil shall be free flowing. Grading tolerance shall be plus or minus 0.1 foot for all spread topsoil. Do not excessively work topsoil. Compaction shall be 80 to 85%, which can be achieved through placing and leveling operations without rolling. 3.3 FERTILIZER AND AMENDMENT INCORPORATON A. Apply fertilizer and other amendments as recommended by the topsoil test results. B. Incorporate fertilizer and other amendments into the top 3 to 4 inches of prepared seedbed. 3.4 GRADING A. Finish Grading 1. Grade lawn areas to finish grades, filling as needed or removing surplus dirt and floating areas to a smooth uniform grade. All lawn areas shall slope to drain. Where no grades are shown, surfaces shall have a smooth and continual grade between existing or fixed controls (such as walks, curbs, catch basins, elevations at steps or building). 2. Roll, scarify, rake and level as necessary to obtain true even lawn surfaces. Prior to sodding, finish grade of compacted topsoil shall be 1” below all paved surfaces. 3. All finish grades shall meet approval of the Owner's Representative before sod is laid. B. Fine Grading 1. Upon completion of finish grading, perform all fine grading required in planting areas, using topsoil obtained from the site. 3.5 SODDING A. Preparation 1. Bed preparation shall pertain to the preparation of the surface of the ground to receive the sod. The ground shall be hand or machine raked so as to remove all debris, clods, stones, or other foreign matter larger than 1 inch. Such debris, clods, rocks, and other material so removed shall be disposed of off the SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 7 immediate property. Bed preparation shall not commence until the moisture conditions make the soil friable. 2. If there has been a time lapse since the placement of the topsoil to allow it to become settled and compacted on the surface, the area to be planted shall be thoroughly worked to a depth of 3 to 4 inches so as to provide a surface of such condition that it will allow application of the sod in compliance with those specifications. 3. Beds should be permitted to settle or should be firmed by rolling before sodding. B. Application 1. Sod may be placed at any time when the ground is not frozen and the irrigation system is operational and will remain so for 6 weeks minimum. 2. Sod is to be layed without netting, no exceptions. 3. A string or line of boards may be used as a guide for setting the first line of sod across the area. Sods of the next course are matched against the edge of this first line in such a way that the joints between the individual sod pieces in the two lines do not coincide. Successive courses are matched against the last line laid, in the same manner. All work should be done on boards laid on top of the sod to avoid footprints or other injuries to the surface. 4. All sod is to be laid on topsoiled areas. The joint shall be closely laid. Lay sod across slope. Roll or firmly but lightly, tamp with suitable wooden or metal tamper, all new sod sufficiently to set or press sod into underlying soil. 5. After sodding is completed, clean up and thoroughly moisten newly sodded areas. C. Protection 1. Protect all sod by erecting temporary fences, barriers, signs, etc. as necessary to prevent traffic. Barriers shall remain in place for at least six (6) weeks unless other arrangements are made with the Owner's Representative. 3.6 MAINTENANCE A. General 1. Maintain all lawn areas until final completion of the job but in no case less than 30 days. B. Work Included 1. All areas shall be watered as required. 2. All areas shall be watched closely so that they are not permitted to dry out or to form puddles of water, or to be washed by over-application. 3. Mow all lawn at 1 1/2" each time its height reaches 2". 4. Apply fertilizer as recommended by the topsoil test results following the first mowing. . C. Replacements 1. Any area that fails to produce an adequate stand of grass shall be resodded by the Contractor at no additional expense to the Owner. SECTION 329204 SOD LAWNS 329204 - 8 2. Replacements required because of vandalism or other causes beyond the control of the Contractor are not part of the Contract. D. Extension of Maintenance Period 1. Continue the maintenance period at no additional cost to the Owner until all previously noted deficiencies have been corrected, at which time the final inspection shall be made. END OF SECTION 329204