SECTION 02925 SODDING PART 1 GENERAL 1.1 SUMMARY A. Section Includes: 1. Preparation of subsoil. 2. Placing topsoil. 3. Fertilizing. 4. Sod installation. 5. Maintenance. B. Related Sections: 1. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract including General and Supplemental General Conditions, and Technical Specifications. 1.2 UNIT PRICE - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT A. Sodded Areas: 1. Basis of Measurement: By square yard. 2. Basis of Payment: Includes preparation of topsoil, sodding, watering and maintenance to specified time limit. 1.3 REFERENCES A. ASTM International: 1. ASTM C602 - Standard Specification for Agricultural Liming Materials. B. Turfgrass Producers International: 1. TPI - Guideline Specifications to Turfgrass Sodding. 1.4 DEFINITIONS A. Weeds: Include 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. 1.5 SUBMITTALS A. Section 01330 - Submittal Procedures. B. Product Data: Submit data for sod grass species, fertilizer, mulch, and other accessories. SODDING 02925-1
1.6 CLOSEOUT SUBMITTALS A. Section 01700 - Execution Requirements. B. Operation and Maintenance Data: Submit maintenance instructions, cutting method and maximum grass height. 1.7 QUALITY ASSURANCE A. Sod: Root development capable of supporting its own weight without tearing, when suspended vertically by holding upper two corners. 1.8 QUALIFICATIONS A. Sod Producer: Company specializing in manufacturing Products specified in this section with minimum three years experience. B. Installer: Company specializing in performing work of this section with minimum three years experience. 1.9 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING A. Section 01600 - Product Requirements. B. Deliver sod on pallets. Protect exposed roots from dehydration. C. Do not deliver more sod than can be laid within 48 hours. 1.10 COORDINATION A. Section 01300 - Administrative Requirements. B. Coordinate with installation of underground sprinkler system piping and watering heads. 1.11 MAINTENANCE SERVICE A. Section 01700 - Execution Requirements. B. Maintain sodded areas immediately after placement until grass is well established and exhibits vigorous growing condition. PART 2 PRODUCTS 2.1 SOD A. Sod: Field grown; standard grade; cultivated grass sod; Bermudagrass or Centipede type; with strong fibrous root system, free of stones, burned or bare spots; containing no more than 10 weeds per 1000 sq ft. SODDING 02925-2
2.2 SOIL MATERIALS A. 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. 2.3 ACCESSORIES A. Fertilizer: Commercial grade; recommended for grass, with fifty percent of elements derived from organic sources; of proportion necessary to eliminate deficiencies of topsoil. B. Water: Clean, fresh and free of substances or matter capable of inhibiting vigorous growth of grass. C. Wood Pegs: Softwood, sufficient size and length to anchor sod on slope. D. Wire Mesh: Interwoven hexagonal plastic mesh of 2 inch size. E. Edging: Galvanized steel. 2.4 HARVESTING SOD A. Machine cut sod and load on pallets in accordance with TPI guidelines. B. Cut sod in area not exceeding 1 sq yd, with minimum 1/2 inch and maximum 1 inch topsoil base. 2.5 SOURCE QUALITY CONTROL A. Section 01400 - Quality Requirements. B. Analyze to ascertain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, soluble salt content, organic matter content, and ph value. C. Provide recommendation for fertilizer and lime application rates for specified sod grass species as result of testing. D. Testing is not required when recent tests are available for imported topsoil. Submit these test results to testing laboratory. Indicate, by test results, information necessary to determine suitability. PART 3 EXECUTION 3.1 EXAMINATION A. Section 01300 - Administrative Requirements. B. Verify prepared soil base is ready to receive the Work of this section. SODDING 02925-3
3.2 PREPARATION OF SUBSOIL A. Prepare sub-soil and eliminate uneven areas and low spots. B. Maintain lines, levels, profiles and contours. Make changes in grade gradual. Blend slopes into level areas. C. Remove foreign materials and undesirable plants and their roots. Do not bury foreign material beneath areas to be sodded. D. Remove contaminated subsoil. E. Scarify sub-soil to depth of 4 inches where topsoil is to be placed. F. Repeat cultivation in areas where equipment, used for hauling and spreading topsoil, has compacted subsoil. 3.3 PLACING TOPSOIL A. Spread topsoil to minimum depth of 4 inches over area to be sodded. B. Place topsoil during dry weather and on dry unfrozen subgrade. C. Remove vegetable matter and foreign non-organic material from topsoil while spreading. D. Grade topsoil to eliminate rough, low or soft areas and to ensure positive drainage. E. Install edging at periphery of sodded areas in straight lines to consistent depth. 3.4 FERTILIZING A. Apply fertilizer at application rate recommended by soil analysis. B. Apply fertilizer after smooth raking of topsoil and prior to installation of sod. C. Apply fertilizer no more than 48 hours before laying sod. D. Mix fertilizer thoroughly into upper 4 inches of topsoil. E. Lightly water soil to aid dissipation of fertilizer. 3.5 LAYING SOD A. Moisten prepared surface immediately prior to laying sod. B. Lay sod within 48 hours after harvesting to prevent deterioration. C. Lay sod tight with no open joints visible, and no overlapping; stagger end joints 12 inches minimum. Do not stretch or overlap sod pieces. SODDING 02925-4
D. Lay smooth. Align with adjoining grass areas. E. Place top elevation of sod 1/2 inch below adjoining paving and/or curbs. F. On slopes 6 inches per foot and steeper, lay sod perpendicular to slope and secure every row with wooden pegs at maximum 3 feet on center. When using big roll, lay sod parallel to slope. Drive pegs flush with soil portion of sod. G. Do not place sod when temperature is lower than 40 degrees F. H. Prior to placing sod, on slopes exceeding 8 inches per foot or where indicated on Drawings, place mesh over topsoil. Securely anchor wire mesh in place with wood pegs sunk firmly into ground. I. Water sodded areas immediately after installation. Saturate sod to 4 inches of soil. J. After sod and soil have dried, roll sodded areas to bond sod to soil and to remove minor depressions and irregularities. K. Roll before first watering. 3.6 MAINTENANCE A. Mow grass at regular intervals to maintain at maximum height of 2-1/2 inches. Do not cut more than 1/3 of grass blade at each mowing. B. Neatly trim edges and hand clip where necessary. C. Immediately remove clippings after mowing and trimming. D. Water to prevent grass and soil from drying out. E. Roll surface to remove or irregularities. F. Control growth of weeds. Apply herbicides. Remedy damage resulting from improper use of herbicides. G. Immediately replace sod on areas showing deterioration or bare spots. H. Protect sodded areas with warning signs during maintenance period. END OF SECTION SODDING 02925-5