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READ AND **REMOVE THIS PAGE **BEFORE PLACING

THE SPECIFICATION SECTION IN THE CONTRACT

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[DIVISION 2: SITE CONSTRUCTION]{.underline}

SECTION 02924 ‑ SODDING

USE: Preparing the sod bed, furnishing, cutting, hauling, and laying of
live sod. When required, furnishing and placing fertilizer and ground
limestone at the locations shown on the drawings or as staked.

**NOTES TO SPECIFIER:**

A. Options within paragraphs are identified by enclosure in brackets;
blank spaces enclosed by brackets \[\_\_\_\_\_\] provide for information
to be inserted, as appropriate, to individual projects.

B. **TO AVOID CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS AND COSTLY MISTAKES,** the
specifier must edit (delete, substitute or add to the text). The
remaining paragraphs must be renumbered.

C. DELETE FOR FINAL COPY: Notes to the Specifier, located between lines
of asterisks; all \[brackets\], [underlining]{.underline}, **boldface**,
and *italics*, within the paragraphs; and this page. (Open Reveal Codes
\[alt F3\] to do this accurately.)

D. [To Edit "(Footer B)":]{.underline} (Corel 8). **ENTIRE FOOTER SHOULD
BE BOLDED.** Click in the footer and delete the "Project Name (ftr B)"
text and replace it with the **Name of the Project (upper and lower
case)**. Replace date with current MM/YY (WITHOUT BRACKETS).

E. The Guide Specifications are intended to be continuously reviewed and
revised. User's technical comments are appreciated. Also, other related
or similar specification that are written "from scratch" that could
benefit others, or other questions can be sent to NSTC A/E Group, ST
110, or call (303) 987-6868.

**DRAWING DATA REQUIRED:**

**REVISIONS OF THIS SECTION:**

CSI format, editorial changes 12/01

Metric: Not Applicable

Technical Update: 10/99

SECTION 02924

SODDING

[PART 1: GENERAL]{.underline}

1.1 SUMMARY

A. Section Includes: Preparing the sod bed, furnishing, cutting,
hauling, and laying live sod. \[Furnishing and applying\] \[Applying
with Contractor-furnished property and Government-furnished property\]
\[Applying with Government-furnished property\] \[fertilizer\] \[and\]
\[ground limestone.\]

1.2 SUBMITTALS

A. General: Submittals shall be according to \[Section 01009 - General
Information and Requirements.\] \[Section 01300 - Submittals.\]

B. Test Data: Submit \[\_\_\_\] copies of test data for
\[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\] \[the following items\] to be used on
this project. \[Testing shall have been performed by an independent
testing laboratory withing \[\_\_ years\] \[\_\_ months\] \[of
submitting the report for approval.\] \[Testing will be at the expense
of the Government.\]

1.3 MAINTENANCE

A. General: Maintain sodded areas immediately after placement for a
\[\_\_\] month period or until grass is well established and exhibits a
vigorous grwoing condition. Mow grass at regular intervals as required
to maintain at a maximum height of \[2‑1/2\] inches. Do not cut more
than 1/3 of grass blade at any one mowing. Neatly trim edges and hand
clip where necessary. Immediately remove heavy clippings after mowing
and trimming.

B. Watering: Water when required and in sufficient quantities to prevent
grass and underlying soil from drying out.

C. Rolling: Roll when required to remove minor depressions or
irregularities.

D. Weed Control: When using herbicides, apply according to
manufacturer\'s recommendations. Remedy damage resulting from negligent
or improper use of herbicides.

E. Repair: Immediately repair or replace areas which show deterioration
or bare spots.

F. Protection: Protect sodded areas with warning signs during
maintenance period.

[PART 2: PRODUCTS]{.underline}

2.1 MATERIALS

A. Sod: Shall be a living vigorous growth of \[[ ]{.underline}\], the
\[grass and thickness specified on drawings\], having a dense root
system contained in suitable sod and free from noxious weeds, stones,
and burned and bare spots.

B. Topsoil: Shall consist of loose, friable, sandy loam free of
admixture of subsoil, refuse, stumps, roots, rocks, brush, weeds, or
other material which would be detrimental to the proper development of
vegetative growth. The minimum and maximum pH values shall be \[5\] and
\[8\] respectively. Topsoil shall be tested in conformance with the
Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC. The following grading analysis
and composition shall apply:

GRADING ANALYSIS

Percentage of weight

Sieve Designation passing square mesh sieve

1 inch 100

1/4 inch 97‑100

No. 10 80‑100

Particle sizes:

Sand 75 m to 2.00 mm

Silt 2 m to 75 m

Clay 2 m or less

COMPOSITION

Percent Allowable

Material Minimum Maximum

Sand 20% 75%

Silt 10% 60%

Clay 5% 30%

Organic Matter 3% 20%

Topsoil shall not contain stone 1 inch and over in diameter.

C. Agricultural Limestone: Shall be a calcic or dolomitic ground
limestone containing not less than 85% of total (calcium and magnesium)
carbonates. At least 40% passing a No. 100 sieve and at least 95%
passing a No. 8 sieve. Limestone shall conform to the standards of the
AOAC and shall comply with existing State and Federal regulations. Rates
of application shall be \[as shown on the drawings.\] \[as recommended
by the manufacturer.\] Granulated slag or other natural sources of lime
may be used, subject to approval by the Contracting Officer of an
adjusted application rate that will equal the total neutralizing power
of the specified ground limestone.

D. Commercial Type Fertilizer: Shall conform to Fed. Spec. O-F-241, Type
\[I\] \[II\], Grade \[A\] \[B\] recommended for grass, with 50% of the
elements derived from organic sources; of proportion necessary to
eliminate deficiencies of topsoil\[,\]\[.\] \[as indicated in
analysis\]\[.\] \[to the following proportions: nitrogen \[[
]{.underline}\]%, phosphoric acid \[[ ]{.underline}\]%, soluble potash
\[[ ]{.underline}\]%\] \[.\] Fertilizer shall be furnished in bulk or in
new, clean, sealed, and properly labeled containers with name, weight,
and guaranteed analysis of contents clearly marked. A liquid form of
fertilizer containing the minimum percentage of available nutrients may
be used.

E. Wood Cellulose Fiber: Natural or cooked wood cellulose fiber shall
have the property of dispersing readily in water and shall have no toxic
effect when combined with seed or other materials. The homogeneous
slurry or mixture shall be capable of application with power spray
equipment. \[A colored dye which is noninjurious to plant growth shall
be used.\] Wood cellulose fiber shall be packaged in new, labeled
containers, shall have an equilibrium air‑dried moisture content of 12%
[+]{.underline} 3% at the time of manufacture, and shall have a pH range
of 3.5 to 5.0.

F. Sawdust: Sawdust shall be obtained from wood which has not been
subjected to conditions which would cause the sawdust to lose its value
or usefulness as a mulch. Sawdust shall not contain toxic substances and
shall be at least 5 years old.

G. Peat Moss: Peat moss shall be provided in bales not less than 7‑1/2
ft per bale compressed with 12 to 14 bushels loose. Peat moss shall be a
granulated sphagnum peat moss nearly free from woody substances,
consisting of at least 75% of partially decomposed stems and leaves of
sphagnum and essentially brown in color. The texture may vary from
porous fibrous to spongy fibrous and shall be free of sticks, stones,
and mineral matter. Peat moss shall be air‑dried, be of 3.5 pH to 5.5
pH, and shall otherwise conform to State and Federal regulations.

H. Peat Humus: Peat humus shall be a natural peat or peat humus from
fresh water saturated areas, consisting of sedge, sphagnum, or reed peat
and be of such physical condition that it will pass through a 1/2‑inch
mesh screen. The humus shall be free from sticks, stones, roots, and
other foreign nonorganic material. Freshly excavated peat, if saturated
with water, shall be stored for a sufficient length of time to condition
it for workability. Samples taken at the source of supply shall have the
following analysis:

Acidity range: 4.0 to 7.5 pH

Minimum water absorbing ability: 200% by weight on oven‑dry basis.

Minimum organic content: 60% when dried at 105 degrees C.

I. Pegs For Sod: Shall be of sound wood, at least 8 inches long, roughly
square or round, and have a cross‑sectional area of approximately 1
in^2^.

J. Water: Used in the planting or care of vegetation shall be free from
oils, acids, alkalis, salts, or any substance injurious to plant life.
Water from streams, lakes, ponds, or similar sources shall not be used
unless approved by the Contracting Officer.

[PART 3: EXECUTION]{.underline}

3.1 PREPARATION

A. Sub‑Grade: Fine grade eliminating uneven areas and low spots.
Maintain lines, levels, profiles, and contours. Make changes in grade
gradual. Blend slopes into level areas.

B. Material Removal: Remove foreign materials, undesirable plants and
their roots, stones, and debris. Do not bury foreign material beneath
areas to be sodded. Remove sub‑soil which has been contaminated with
petroleum products.

C. Cultivation: Cultivate sub‑soil to a depth of \[3\] inches where
topsoil is to be placed. Repeat cultivation in areas where equipment,
used for hauling and spreading topsoil, has compacted sub‑soil.

D. Cutting Sod: Cut sod \[using an approved method\] \[so that top
growth shall not be more than 3 inches in height\]. Cut sod in pieces
not exceeding 1 yd^2^, with minimum \[1/2\] inch and maximum \[1\] inch
soil portion.

3.2 INSTALLATION

A. Placing Topsoil: Spread topsoil to a minimum depth of \[4\] inches
over entire area to be sodded. Place topsoil during dry weather and on
dry unfrozen sub‑grade. Remove stones, roots, grass, weeds, and debris.

B. Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer at a rate recommended by manufacturer.
Apply after fine grading and prior to compaction. Mix thoroughly into
upper \[2\] inches of topsoil. Apply fertilizer within \[48\] hrs before
laying sod.

C. Watering: Lightly water to aid the breakdown of fertilizer.

D. Laying Sod: Lay sod as soon as possible after delivery to prevent
deterioration. Lay sod closely knit together with no open joints
visible, and pieces not overlapped. Lay smooth and flush with adjoining
\[grass areas\] \[paving\] \[and\] \[top surfaces of curbs\]. On slopes
2:1 and steeper, lay sod perpendicular to slope and secure every row
with wooden pegs at maximum \[2\] ft on center. Drive pegs flush with
soil portion of sod.

E. Watering: Immediately water sodded areas after installation. Water in
sufficient amounts to saturate sod and upper \[4\] inches of soil.

F. Rolling: After sod and soil has dried sufficiently to prevent damage,
roll sodded areas to ensure good bond between sod and soil and to remove
minor depressions and irregularities. Ensure rolling equipment weight
not over 250 lb or less than 150 lb.

[PART 4: MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT]{.underline}

4.1 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

A. Units: The work described in this section will \[not be measured for
payment.\] \[be measured and paid for\] \[on a lump sum basis.\] \[by
the square yard.\] \[Water will be measured in thousands of gallons (M
Gals.) delivered and applied.\]

4.2 BASIS OF PAYMENT

A. Payment: \[No direct payment for the work described under this
section will be made. The Contractor shall include consideration for
this item in the bid price for other items of the Contract.\] \[Prices
and payment will be full compensation for the work described in this
section. Payment will be made under:\]

[Pay Item]{.underline} [ Pay Unit]{.underline}

02924(01) Sodding Lump Sum

02924(02) Sodding Square Yard

02924(10) Water. M Gals.

END OF SECTION