960 If the average test result for a lot fails to meet all the specifications listed above, the material from that lot shall be rejected. In lieu of removal and replacement, the contractor may propose for the Engineer's consideration a method of treatment of the in- place material to obtain specification compliance. Provided the Engineer approves, the topsoil shall be treated at no additional cost to the Department. The lot shall then be resampled and tested for specification compliance by the Engineer. If the pH of the topsoil for a lot exceeds 8.3, the topsoil shall either be removed and replaced, or be treated as provided for in the preceding paragraph. Any treatment for pH shall be sufficient to obtain an average pH between 6.0 and 8.0, inclusive. The treatment for pH shall follow the recommendations of a recognized soil analyst and shall be subject to the approval of the Engineer. Any treatment for pH shall be at no additional cost to the Department. Additional acceptance testing after treatment for pH will not be required. 804- 3 Construction Requirements: Topsoil shall be spread uniformly on the designated areas to the depths or contours shown on the plans. The contractor shall avoid over - compaction in spreading and shaping operations. Scarification shall be required for over -compacted areas and haul roads. When topsoil is placed over subgrade material as plating, the subgrade shall be scarified or disked to a 6-inch depth prior to placement of the topsoil. 804- 4 Method of Measurement: Topsoil will be measured by the cubic yard. Topsoil will be measured in its final position, and the volume will be computed by the average end area method or by other methods approved by the Engineer. 804- 5 Basis of Payment: The accepted quantities of topsoil, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard, complete in place. 805- 1 Description: The work under this section shall consist of furnishing all materials, preparing the soil and applying seed to all areas designated on the project plans or established by the Engineer. Seeding shall be Class I, Class II or Class III, and shall be performed in accordance with the project plans and requirements of these specifications. TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX 961 805- 2 Materials: 805- 2.01 General: Certificates of Compliance conforming to the requirements of Subsection
106.05of the specifications shall be submitted
805- 2.02 Seed: The species, strain or origin of seed shall be as designated in the Special Provisions. No substitution of species, strain or origin of seed will be allowed unless evidence is submitted in writing by the contractor to the Engineer showing that the specified materials are not reasonably available during the contract period. The substitution of species, strains or origins shall be made only with the written approval of the Engineer, prior to making said substitution. The seed shall be delivered to the project site in standard, sealed, undamaged containers. Each container shall be labeled in accordance with A.R.S. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations under the Federal Seed Act. Labels shall indicate the variety or strain of seed, the percentage of germination, purity and weed content, and the date of analysis which shall not be more than nine months prior to the delivery date. Legume seed shall be inoculated with appropriate bacteria cultures approved by the Engineer, in accordance with the culture manufacturers' instructions. 805- 2.03 Mulch :
The type and application rate of mulch shall be as specified in the Special Provisions.
Manure shall be steer manure that has been well composted and unleached, and which has been collected from cattle feeder operations. Manure shall be free of sticks, stones, earth, weed seed, substances injurious or toxic to plant growth and visible amounts of under composted straw or bedding material. Manure shall not contain lumps or any foreign substance that will not pass a 1/2- inch screen and, when specified for lawn use, the material shall be ground or screened so as to pass a 1/4 - inch screen. TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX 962
Peat humus shall be natural domestic peat of peat humus from fresh water saturated areas, consisting of sedge, sphagnum or reed peat and shall be of such physical condition that it will pass through a 1/2- inch screen. The humus shall be free of sticks, stones, roots and other objectionable materials. Peat humus shall have a pH value between 4.0 and 7.5, inclusive, and the minimum organic content shall be 85 percent of the dry weight. The ash content, as determined by igniting a 5 gram sample for 20 hours at a temperature of 900 degrees F, shall not exceed 25 percent by weight. Peat humus shall be furnished in undamaged commercial bales in an air - dry condition.
Natural 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. A colored dye whi ch is noninjurious to plant growth may be used. Wood cellulose fiber shall be delivered in undamaged, labeled containers bearing the name of the manufacturer and showing the air - dry water content.
Straw shall be from crops of current season as approved by the Engineer and shall be free of noxious weeds, mold or other objectionable material. Straw mulch shall be in an air -dry condition and suitable for placing with mulch blower equipment. 805- 2.04 Water: Water shall be free of oil, acid, salts or other substances which are harmful to plants. The source shall be as approved by the Engineer prior to use. 805- 2.05 Tacking Agent: Tacking agent shall be as specified in t he Special Provisions. 805- 2.06 Chemical Fertilizer: Chemical fertilizer shall be a standard commercial fertilizer conforming to the analysis and in the physical form specified in the Special Provisi ons. Chemical fertilizer shall be furnished in standard containers or bags with the name, weight and guaranteed analysis of the contents clearly marked. When a mixed fertilizer is specified, such as 24 -18-2, the first number shall represent the minimum percent of soluble nitrogen, TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX 963 the second number shall represent the minimum percent of available phosphoric acid and the third number shall represent the minimum percent of water soluble potash. 805- 3 Construction Requirements: 805- 3.01 General: Seed shall be of the class and variety specified, and shall be applied at the rate specified in the Special Provisions. The contractor shall notify the Engineer at least two days prior to commencing seeding operations. Bermuda seed shall be planted only at times when the daytime atmospheric temperatures are consistently above 90 degrees F and the nighttime atmospheric temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F. Seeding operations shall not be performed when wind would prevent uniform application of materials or would carry seeding materials into areas not designated to be seeded. Preparation of areas for seeding shall be as specified herein and in the Special Provisions. The equipment and methods used to distribute seeding materials shall be such as to provi de an even and uniform application of seed, mulch and/or other materials at the specified rates. Unless specified otherwise in the Special Provisions, seeding operations shall not be performed on undisturbed soil outside the clearing and grubbing limits of the project or on steep rock cuts. 805- 3.02 Classes of Seeding:
Seeding (Class I) shall consist of furnishing and planting lawn seed. Immediately before seeding, the surface area shall be raked or otherwise loosened to obtain a smooth friable surface free of earth clods, humps and depressions. Loose stones having a dimension greater than 1 inch and debris brought to the surface during c ultivation shall be removed and disposed of by the contractor in a manner approved by the Engineer. Where indicated on the project plans or specified in the Special Provisions, topsoil shall be placed and allowed to settle for at least one week prior to seeding. The topsoil shall be thoroughly watered at least twice during the settlement period. TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX 964 Seed shall be uniformly applied in two directions at right angles to each other with one- half the specified application rate applied in each direction. Immediately after seeding, the area shall be uniformly covered with screened manure at the rate of 1 cubic yard per 1,000 square feet and then watered until the ground is wet to a minimum depth of 2 inches. Hydroseeding (hydraulic seeding) , usi ng 1,500 pounds of wood cellulose fiber per acre, will be an acceptable alternate for planting and mulching Seeding (Class I). Machines used for hydroseeding shall be approved types capable of continuous agitation of the slurry mixture during the seeding operation. Pump pressure shall be such as to maintain a continuous nonfluctuating spray capable of reaching the extremities of the seeding area with the pump unit located on the roadbed. The sprayer shall be equipped to use the proper type of nozzles to obtain a uniform application on the various slopes at the distance to be covered. The seed, fertilizer, mulch, tacking agent (when required) and water shall be combined in the proportions of the various materials as provided in the Special Provisions and al lowed to mix a minimum of five minutes prior to starting the application of the slurry. Seed shall be applied within 30 minutes after mixing with water. Hydroseeding which is deposited on adjacent trees and shrubs, roadways, in drain ditches, on structures and upon any areas where seeding is not specified or which is placed in excessive depths on seeding areas shall be removed. Seeding areas flooded or eroded as a result of irrigation shall be repaired, reseeded and refertilized by the contractor, at no expense to the Department.
Seeding (Class II) shall consist of furnishing and planting range grass seed, flower seed and/or shrub seed, including mulch. Where equipment can operate, the area to be seeded shall be prepared by disking, har rowing or by other approved methods of loosening the surface soil to the depth specified in the Special Provisions. On slopes too steep for equipment to operate, the area shall be prepared by hand raking to the specified depth. On sloping areas, all disking, harrowing and raking shall be directional along the contours of the areas involved. Loose stones having a dimension greater than 4 inches which are brought to the surface during cultivation shall be removed and disposed of in an approved manner prior to grading and seeding. All areas which are eroded shall be restored to the specified condition, grade and slope as directed prior to seeding. TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX 965 On cut and fill slopes the operations shall be conducted in such a manner as to form minor ridges thereon to assist in retarding erosion and favor germination of the seed. Care shall be taken during the seeding operations to prevent damage to existing trees and shrubs in the seeding area in accordance with the requirements of Subsection 107.11 of the specifications. Seed shall be drilled, broadcast or otherwise planted in the manner and at the rate specified in the Special Provisions. The type of mulch, and the manner and rate of application shall be as specified in the Special Provisions. Mulch material which is placed upon trees and shrubs, roadways, structures and upon any areas where mulching is not specified or which is placed in excessive depths on mulching areas shall be removed as directed. Mulch materials which are deposited in a matted condition shall be loosened and uniformly spread, to the specified depth, over the mulching areas. During seeding and mulching operations, care shall be exercised to prevent drift and displacement of materials. Any unevenness in materials shall be immediately corrected by t he contractor. Mulch shall be immediately affixed by crimping and tacking after application. The Engineer shall determine which areas are not conducive to anchoring by crimping and will direct the contractor to anchor such mulch by tacking only. No mulch shall be applied to seeding areas which can not be crimped and/or tacked by the end of each day. Any drifting or displacement of mulch before crimping and/or tacking shall be corrected by the contractor, at no additional cost to the Department. If a tacking agent is specified in order to bind the mulch in place, the type, rate and manner of application shall be as specified in the Special Provisions. Prior to the application of a tacking agent, protective covering shall be placed on all structures and objects where stains would be objectionable. All necessary precautions shall be taken to protect the traveling public and vehicles from damage due to drifting spray. Unless otherwise specified in the Special Provisions, Class II seeding areas shall not be w atered after planting.
Seeding (Class III) shall consist of furnishing and planting range grass seed, flower seed and/or shrub seed, all without mulching. Seeding (Class III) shall conform to the requirements specified under Subsection 805- 3.02(B) of the specifications, except that mulching will not be required. TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEX