890Seed and Sod

890.1 General Description

This section includes the requirements for seed and sod.

890.1.01 Related References

A. Standard Specifications General Provisions 101 through 150. B. Referenced Documents General Provisions 101 through 150.

890.2 Materials

890.2.01 Seed

A. Requirements 1. Use seed that meets the requirements of the Georgia Seed Laws and Rules and Regulations. 2. The germination, purity, and maximum weeds specified in the Georgia Seed Laws for all seeds used by DOT are: Germination and hard seed minimum 70% Purity minimum 90% Weed seeds maximum 2% Noxious seeds maximum 300 seeds per lb. (660 seeds per kg), subject to the limitations in Table 1 3. Seed Mixture When seed mixtures are specified, each variety of seed shall be furnished separately and mixed after approval by the Engineer. TABLE 1—NOXIOUS WEED LIST Name Limitations 1. Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Prohibited 2. Cocklebur Prohibited 3. Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) Prohibited 4. Nutgrass (Cyperus Rotundus) Prohibited 5. Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) 9 per pound (20 per kg) 6. Wild Onion and/or Wild Garlic ((Allium spp.) 27 per pound (60 per kg) 7. Sandbur (Cenchrus pauciflorus) 27 per pound (60 per kg) 8. Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 9. Wild Mustard and Turnips (Brassica spp.) 27 per pound (60 per kg) 10. Blue Weed (Helianthus ciliaris) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 11. Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) 27 per pound (60 per kg) 12. Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 13. Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 14. Quack Grass (Agrophron repens) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 15. Russian Knapweed (Centaurea Picris) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 16. Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) 300 per pound (660 per kg) 17. Cheat or Ches (Bromus secalinus and/or Bromus commutatus) 300 per pound (660 per kg) 18. Darnel (Lolium temulentum) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 19. Cornockle (Agrostemma githago) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 20. Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 21. Purple Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 22. Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 23. Docks (Rumex spp.) 100 per pound (220 per kg) 24. Gian Foxtail 100 per pound (220 per kg) 25. Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosells) 200 per pound (440 per kg) 26. Red Rice (oryza sativa variety) 300 per pound (660 per kg) 27. Sorghum almum 100 per pound (220 per kg) Sum Total Noxious Weeds 300 per pound (660 per kg) B. Fabrication General Provisions 101 through 150. C. Acceptance 1. Get approval from the Engineer before sowing seed. 2. Ensure each bag of seed is tagged with an analysis tag showing the results of a test made within 9 months of planting. a. Collect and check the tags to ensure that they show a lot number, a test date within 9 months, and that the seed quality meets the requirements in Table 1. b. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and the laboratory will randomly sample seed. 3. Even though the Engineer approves the seed, you are still responsible to furnish and sow seed that meets these specifications at the time of sowing. 4. If the Engineer requires, provide seed samples to the Engineer early enough before seeding to allow further testing before seeding. 5. You may increase the rate of seeding to obtain the minimum pure live seed content specified if a low percentage of germination causes the quality of the seed to fall below the minimum. NOTE: You may increase the seeding rates if the noxious weed seed per square yard (meter) does not exceed the allowable quantity at the regular rate of seeding. 6. The Department will reject wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged seed. D. Materials Warranty General Provisions 101 through 150.

890.2.02 Sod

A. Requirements 1. Use living, growing sod of the designated species for block or big roll sod. This includes sod that is dormant during the cold or dry season and capable of renewing growth after the dormant period. 2. Obtain all sod from approved nurseries that have a Georgia Live Plant License. 3. Ensure that at least 75 percent of the plants in the sod are of the designated variety of grass. B. Fabrication 1. Mow grass and weeds to a maximum height of 3 in. (75 mm). Rake and remove the grass before cutting the sod. 2. Cut the sod into the following sizes: • Block sod—12 in. (300 mm) by 22 in. (550 mm) • Big roll sod—21 in. (525 mm) by 52 ft. (15.8 m) Ensure that the sod has at least 1/2 in. (15 mm) of soil adhering firmly to the roots. 3. Always exercise care to retain the soil on the roots of the sod during cutting, transporting, and planting. Do not dump the sod from vehicles. C. Acceptance The Department will accept the material based on the following: 1. Notify the Engineer to inspect the sod sources before it is harvested. 2. The Engineer will inspect the sod while it is being planted. 3. The Department will reject sod with weeds or other growth or foreign material that may be detrimental to the planting. Sod that is excessively dried out, exposed to heat, or not viable will also be rejected. Do not assume that an approval of a source means that the material is accepted. D. Materials Warranty 1. Transplant the sod within 72 hours from the time it is harvested. 2. Sod that is not transplanted within 24 hours shall be kept moist and protected from exposure to heat, direct sunlight, and freezing until it is transplanted. Do not exceed the 72-hour time limit for transplanting all of the harvested sod. 3. Cut and install sod only when the soil moisture conditions are favorable.