### **ITEM T-903 SPRIGGING**

DESCRIPTION

**903-1.1**   This item shall consist of planting sprigs of living grass
plants at the locations shown on the plans or as directed by the
Engineer in accordance with these specifications.

MATERIALS

**903-2.1 SPRIGS.**  Sprigs shall be healthy living stems (stolons or
rhizomes), of the grass species stated in the special provisions,
harvested without adhering soil and obtained from sources where the sod
is heavy and thickly matted.  The presence of weeds or other material
that might be detrimental to the proposed planting will be cause for
rejection of sprigs.

**903-2.2 LIME.**  Lime shall conform to the requirements of 901‑2.2.

**903-2.3 FERTILIZER.**  Fertilizer shall conform to the requirements of
901‑2.3.

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> **Paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 shall be deleted if not applicable.**

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**903-2.4 WATER.**  All water used shall be sufficiently free from oil,
acid, alkali, salt, or other harmful materials that would inhibit the
growth of grass.  Brackish water shall not be used at any time.  It
shall be subject to the approval of the Engineer prior to use. 

**903-2.5 SOIL FOR REPAIRS.**  The soil for fill, and topsoiling of
areas to be repaired, shall conform to the requirements of 901‑2.4.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

**903-3.1 GENERAL.**  Areas to be sprigged and the location of sprigging
material, if available on the site, shall be shown on the plans.  Areas
requiring special ground surface preparation such as tilling, and those
in a satisfactory condition to remain undisturbed, shall also be shown
on the plans.

Suitable equipment necessary for proper preparation of the ground
surface and for the handling and placing of all required materials shall
be on hand, in good condition, and shall be approved by the Engineer
before the various operations are started.  The Contractor shall
demonstrate to the Engineer, before starting the various operations,
that the planting and application of required materials will be made at
the specified rates.

When weather conditions are such that unsatisfactory results may occur,
the work shall be stopped until the desired results can be obtained.

**903-3.2 ADVANCE PREPARATION AND CLEANUP.**  After grading of areas has
been completed and before applying fertilizer and limestone, areas to be
sprigged shall be raked or otherwise cleared of stones larger than 2
inches (50 mm) in any diameter, sticks, stumps, and other debris which
might interfere with sprigging, growth of grasses, or subsequent
maintenance of grass‑covered areas.  If any damage by erosion or other
causes has occurred after grading of areas and before beginning the
application of fertilizer and ground limestone, the Contractor shall
repair such damage.  This may include filling gullies, smoothing
irregularities, and repairing other incidental damage.

**903-3.3 APPLYING FERTILIZER AND GROUND LIMESTONE.**  Following advance
preparation and cleanup, fertilizer shall be uniformly spread at a rate
that will provide not less than the minimum quantity of each fertilizer
ingredient as stated in the special provisions.  If use of ground
limestone is required, it shall then be spread at a rate that will
provide not less than the minimum quantity stated in the special
provisions.  These materials shall be incorporated into the soil to a
depth of not less than 2 inches (50 mm) by discing, raking, or other
methods acceptable to the Engineer.  Any stones larger than 2 inches (50
mm) in any diameter, large clods, roots, and other litter brought to the
surface by this operation shall be removed.

In steep slopes where fertilizer and ground limestone cannot be
incorporated effectively by mechanical equipment, they may be applied
with power sprayers, blower equipment, or other approved method, and
need not be incorporated into the soil.

**903-3.4 HARVESTING SPRIGS.**  The sprigs obtained from sources off the
site shall be from suitable areas as close as practical to the planting
site.  Regardless of the source, sprigging material that contains grass
and weeds taller than 6 inches (150 mm) shall be mowed to a height of 3
inches (75 mm), and the clippings raked and removed before harvesting
begins.  Harvesting may be performed by any method acceptable to the
Engineer, including crisscross cultivation, shallow plowing, or other
acceptable methods to thoroughly loosen the sprigs from the soil and to
bring them to the surface.  After loosening the sprigs from the soil,
they shall be gathered in small piles or windrows, watered, and kept
moist until planted.

Not more than 24 hours shall elapse between harvesting and planting
sprigs, except that, when weather or other uncontrollable conditions
interrupt the work, a time extension may be granted, provided the sprigs
are still moist and viable.  Sprigs that have heated in stockpiles, have
become frozen, permitted to dry out, or otherwise seriously damaged
during harvesting or delivery shall be rejected and shall be disposed of
as directed by the Engineer.

**903-3.5 PLANTING SPRIGS.**  Sprigging shall be done only within the
periods stipulated in the special provisions.  Sprigging shall not be
done during windy weather, or when the ground is dry, excessively wet,
frozen, or otherwise untillable.  If the soil is not moist when the
sprigs are being set, water shall be applied until the soil is moist and
in a workable condition.  One or more of the following methods shall be
used, whichever is shown on the plans or stated in the special
provisions:

**a. Broadcast Sprigging.**  Sprigs shall be broadcast by hand or by
suitable equipment in a uniform layer over the prepared surface with
spacing between sprigs not to exceed 6 inches (150 mm).  The sprigs
shall then be forced into the soil to a depth of 2 to 4 inches (50 to
100 mm) with a straight spade or similar tool, or with a disc harrow or
other equipment set to cover the sprigs to the required depth.

**b. Row Sprigging.**  Furrows shall be opened along the approximate
contour of slopes at the spacing and depth stated in the special
provisions.  Sprigs shall be placed without delay in a continuous row in
the open furrow with successive sprigs touching, and they shall be
covered immediately.

**c. Spot Sprigging.**  Spot sprigging shall be performed as specified
under row sprigging, except that groups of 4 sprigs or more shall be
spaced 18 inches (45 cm) apart in the rows.

**903-3.6 MULCHING AND COMPACTING.**  After planting of sprigs has been
completed and prior to compacting, the surface shall be cleared of
stones larger than 2 inches (50 mm) in any diameter, large clods, roots,
and other litter brought to the surface during sprigging.

If mulching of sprigged areas is shown on the plans or stated in the
special provisions, the sprigged areas shall be covered with mulch in
accordance with the requirements of Item T‑908 within 24 hours from the
time sprigging has been completed, weather and soil conditions
permitting.

If mulching is not shown on the plans nor stated in the special
provisions, the sprigged area shall be compacted within 24 hours from
the time sprigging has been completed, weather and soil conditions
permitting, by cultipackers, rollers, or other satisfactory equipment
operated at right angles to the slope.  Compaction shall not be done
when the soil is in such condition that it is picked up by the
equipment.

**903-3.7 ESTABLISHING TURF.**  The Contractor shall be responsible for
the proper care of the sprigged areas during the period when the plants
are becoming established and he shall protect the sprigged areas against
traffic by warning signs or barricades approved by the Engineer. 
Surfaces gullied or otherwise damaged following sprigging shall be
repaired by regrading and resprigging as directed.  The Contractor shall
mow, water as directed, and otherwise maintain sprigged areas in a
satisfactory condition until final inspection and acceptance of the
work.

METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

**903-4.1**  Sprigging shall be measured by the number of units of 1,000
square feet (100 square meters), measured on the ground surface,
completed and accepted.

BASIS OF PAYMENT

**903-5.1**  Payment will be made at the contract unit price per 1,000
square feet (100 square meters) or fraction thereof.  This price shall
be full compensation for furnishing and placing all material including
any required mulching of sprigged areas, and for all labor, equipment,
tools, and incidentals necessary to complete the work prescribed in this
item.

Payment will be made under:

Item 903‑5.1 Sprigging---per 1,000 square feet (100 square meters)

**END OF ITEM T-903**

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