SECTION 02938

SODDING

PART 1 GENERAL

SECTION INCLUDES

[Preparation of subsoil.]

[Placing topsoil.]

[Fertilizing.]

Sod installation.

[Maintenance.]

RELATED SECTIONS

Section 02205 - Soil Materials: Topsoil material.

Section 02223 - Backfilling: Rough grading of site.

Section 02225 - Trenching:	Rough grading over cut.

[Section 02811 - Landscape Irrigation.]

Section 02923 - Landscape Grading: Preparation of subsoil and placement of topsoil in preparation for the Work of this Section.

Section 02936 - Seeding.

Section 02950 - Trees, Plants, and Ground Cover.

UNIT PRICE - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

Topsoil:

Basis of Measurement: By the cubic [yard] [________] ([meter] [________]).

Basis of Payment: Includes topsoil, placing topsoil.

Sodded Areas:

Basis of Measurement: By the square [yard] [________] ([meter] [________]).

Basis of Payment: Includes [preparation of [subsoil] [topsoil],] [placing topsoil,] sodding, watering and maintenance to specified [time limit] [mowings].

REFERENCES

ASPA (American Sod Producers Association) - Guideline Specifications to Sodding.

FS O-F-241 - Fertilizers, Mixed, Commercial.

DEFINITIONS

Weeds: Includes Dandelion, Jimsonweed, Quackgrass, Horsetail, Morning Glory, Rush Grass, Mustard, Lambsquarter, Chickweed, Cress, Crabgrass, Canadian Thistle, Nutgrass, Poison Oak, Blackberry, Tansy Ragwort, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass, Poison Ivy, Nut Sedge, Nimble Will, Bindweed, Bent Grass, Wild Garlic, Perennial Sorrel, and Brome Grass.

MAINTENANCE DATA

Submit under provisions of Section [01700.] [________.]

Operation Data: Submit for continuing Owner maintenance.

Maintenance Data: Include maintenance instructions, cutting method and maximum grass height; [types, application frequency, and recommended coverage of fertilizer;] [and] [________________].

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Sod: Minimum age of [18] [____] months, with root development that will support its own weight without tearing, when suspended vertically by holding the upper two corners.

Submit sod certification for grass species and location of sod source.

QUALIFICATIONS

Sod Producer: Company specializing in sod production and harvesting with minimum [five] [____] years experience, and certified by the State of [________].

Installer:	Company approved by the sod producer.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Comply with regulatory agencies for [fertilizer and] herbicide composition.

Provide certificate of compliance from [authority having jurisdiction] [________] indicating approval of fertilizer [and herbicide] mixture.

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

Deliver, store, protect and handle products to site under provisions of Section [01600.] [________.]

Deliver sod [on pallets] [in rolls].	Protect exposed roots from dehydration.

Do not deliver more sod than can be laid within [24] [____] hours.

COORDINATION

Coordinate work under provisions of Section [01039.] [________.]

Coordinate with installation of underground sprinkler system piping and watering heads.

MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Furnish service and maintenance of sodded areas for [three] [____] months from Date of Substantial Completion.

****** [OR] ******

Maintain sodded areas immediately after placement [until grass is well established and exhibits a vigorous growing condition] [for [two] [____] cuttings].

PART 2 PRODUCTS

ACCEPTABLE SOD GROWERS

[__________________________________].

[__________________________________].

[__________________________________].

Substitutions: Under provisions of Section [01600.] [________.]

MATERIALS

Sod: ASPA [Certified] [Approved] [Nursery grown] [Field grown] [________] grade; cultivated grass sod; [type indicated [in plant schedule on Drawings] [below] [in schedule at end of Section]; with strong fibrous root system, free of stones, burned or bare spots; containing no more than [5] [10] [____] weeds per [1000] [____] sq ft ([100] [____] sq m).

[St. Augustine] [________] Grass Type: [________] percent.

[Floratam] [________] Grass Type: [________] percent.

[Kentucky Blue] [________] Grass Type: [________] percent.

Clover: [________] to [________] percent.

Topsoil: [As specified in Section 02205 Type [____].

****** [OR] ******

Topsoil: Fertile, agricultural soil, typical for locality, capable of sustaining vigorous plant growth, taken from drained site; free of subsoil, clay, or impurities, plants, weeds and roots; pH value of minimum [5.4] [____] and maximum [7.0] [____].

****** [OR] ******

Topsoil: Excavated from site and free of weeds.

Fertilizer: FS O-F-241, Type [I] [II], Grade [A] [B]; recommended for grass, with fifty percent of the elements derived from organic sources; of proportion necessary to eliminate any deficiencies of topsoil [,as indicated in analysis] [to the following proportions: nitrogen [____] percent, phosphoric acid [____] percent, soluble potash [____] percent].

Water: Clean, fresh and free of substances or matter which could inhibit vigorous growth of grass.

ACCESSORIES

Wood Pegs: Softwood, sufficient size and length to ensure anchorage of sod on slope.

Wire Mesh: Interwoven hexagonal [metal wire] [plastic] mesh of [2] [____] inch ([50] [____] mm) size.

Edging: [Galvanized steel] [Plastic] [Wood of [____] species] [________].

Herbicide:	[________].

HARVESTING SOD

Machine cut sod [and load on pallets] in accordance with

[ASPA Guidelines] [________].

Cut sod in area not exceeding [1] [____] sq yd ([1] [____] sq m), with minimum [1/2] [____] inch ([13] [____] mm) and maximum [1] [____] inch ([25] [____] mm) topsoil base.

TESTS

Provide analysis of topsoil fill under provisions of Section [01400.] [01410.] [________.]

Analyze to ascertain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, [________], soluble salt content, organic matter content, and pH value.

Submit minimum [10] [____] oz ([280] [____] g) sample of topsoil proposed. Forward sample to approved testing laboratory in sealed containers to prevent contamination.

****** [OR] ******

Testing is not required if recent tests are available for imported topsoil. Submit these test results to the testing laboratory for approval. Indicate, by test results, information necessary to determine suitability.

PART 3 EXECUTION

EXAMINATION

Verify that prepared soil base is ready to receive the work of this section.

PREPARATION OF SUBSOIL

Prepare sub-soil and eliminate uneven areas and low spots.

Maintain lines, levels, profiles and contours. Make changes in grade gradual. Blend slopes into level areas.

Remove foreign materials and undesirable plants and their roots. Do not bury foreign material beneath areas to be sodded.

Remove contaminated subsoil.

Scarify sub-soil to a depth of [4] [____] inches ([100]

[____] mm) where topsoil is to be placed.

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

PLACING TOPSOIL

Spread topsoil to a minimum depth of [2] [____] inches ([50] [____] mm) over area to be sodded.

Place topsoil during dry weather and on dry unfrozen subgrade.

Remove vegetable matter and foreign non-organic material from topsoil while spreading.

Grade topsoil to eliminate rough, low or soft areas, and to ensure positive drainage.

Install edging at periphery of sodded areas in straight lines to consistent depth.

FERTILIZING

Apply fertilizer [in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.] [at a rate of [________].]

Apply after smooth raking of topsoil and prior to installation of sod.

Apply fertilizer no more than [48] [____] hours before laying sod.

Mix thoroughly into upper [2] [____] inches ([50] [____] mm) of topsoil.

Lightly water to aid the dissipation of fertilizer.

LAYING SOD

Moisten prepared surface immediately prior to laying sod.

Lay sod [immediately after delivery to site] [within [24] [____] hours after harvesting] to prevent deterioration.

Lay sod tight with no open joints visible, and no overlapping; stagger end joints 12 inches (300 mm) minimum. Do not stretch or overlap sod pieces.

Lay smooth. [Align with adjoining grass areas] [_______].

Place top elevation of sod [1/2] [____] inch ([13] [____] mm) below adjoining [edging] [paving] [curbs] [________].

On slopes [6] [____] inches per foot ([500] [____] mm per m) and steeper, lay sod perpendicular to slope and secure every row with wooden pegs at maximum [2] [____] feet ([600] [____] mm) on center. Drive pegs flush with soil portion of sod.

Prior to placing sod, [on slopes exceeding [8] [____] inches per foot ([666] [____] mm per m) [or] [where indicated], place wire mesh over topsoil. Securely anchor in place with wood pegs sunk firmly into the ground.

Water sodded areas immediately after installation. Saturate sod to [4] [____] inches ([100] [____] mm) of soil.

After sod and soil have dried, roll sodded areas to ensure good bond between sod and soil and to remove minor depressions and irregularities. [Roll sodded areas with roller not exceeding [____] lbs ([____] kg).]

MAINTENANCE

Mow grass at regular intervals to maintain at a maximum height of [2-1/2] [____] inches ([65] [____] mm). Do not cut more than 1/3 of grass blade at any one mowing.

Neatly trim edges and hand clip where necessary.

Immediately remove clippings after mowing and trimming.

Water to prevent grass and soil from drying out.

[Roll surface to remove or irregularities.]

Control growth of weeds.	Apply herbicides in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Remedy damage resulting from improper use of herbicides.

Immediately replace sod to areas which show deterioration or bare spots.

Protect sodded areas with warning signs during maintenance period.

SCHEDULE

Front Sodded Area:	Sod type specified, 3 inch top soil.

Rear Sodded Area: Sod grass mixture specified except substitute Clover for Kentucky Blue Grass, 2 inch top soil.

END OF SECTION