564 Leguminous seeds, unless otherwise specifi ed, shall be inoculated with a culture in accordance with 914.06. Th e culture shall be mixed with sufficient water to 70 distribute it thoroughly. The seed shall be wetted thoroughly with the solution and allowed to dry sufficiently to be in condition for sowing. Inoculated seed shall be sown within 30 h after treatment. Where seeding is to be done by hydraulic methods, the inoculate may be added to the water in the spray tank. ( c ) M u l c h Mulching material, when specified, shall be applied uniformly in a continuous blanket at the rate of 2 t/ac. Mulch sha ll be placed within 24 h after seeding. The percent of moisture in the mulch shall be determined in accordance with 621.14(c). 80 Mulching material shall be punched into the soil so that it is partially covered. The punching operation shall be performed longit udinally with the mulch tiller. The tools used for punching purposes shall be disks that are notched and have a minimum diameter of 16 in. The disks shall be flat or uncupped such as notched coulters commonly used on moldboard plows. Disks shall be placed a minimum of 8 in. apart along the axle or shaft. Shaft or axle sections of disks shall not exceed 8 ft in length. The mulch tiller for punching shall be cons tructed so that weight may be added or hydraulic force from the tractor may push the puncher into the ground. If heavy weights are not used, several trips over the area may be necessary to work part of the 90 mulch into the soil. Care shall be exercised to obtain a reasonably even distribution of mulch incorporated into the soil. After procedures for holding the mulch in place have been completed, mulch, other than when applied by hydroseeder, shall be watered thoroughly. The seed or soil beneath it shall not be displaced. The mulchi ng material shall be maintained in place satisfactorily until final completion and acceptance of the contract, except as provided in 107.18. When seeding is performed between June 1 and August 15, a second thorough watering shall be applied approximately 21 days after seeding. On slopes steeper than 3:1, or when specified, the following methods will be allowed. 1 . M e t h o d A The mulch may be held in place by mean s of a commercially produced mulch binder which is in accordance with all appl icable State and Federal regulations. Such product shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions. A copy of the written instructions shall be supplied to the Engineer prior to the seeding work. The product shall contain a coverage indicator to facilitate visual inspection for evenness of application. If the mulch fails to stay in place, the Contractor shall repair 110 all damaged areas. A change in the mulch binder may be requested by the Engineer.
2.Method B The mulch may be held in place by spraying it with a satisfactory liquid asphalt 621.05 565 or asphalt emulsion. The bituminous material may be applied immediately after the mulch is in place or it may be injected into the mulch as it leaves a power-driven mulch spreader. If applied to the surface, the amou nt shall be approximately 0.06 gal./sq yd. If applied as the mulch comes from the spreader, the amount shall be approximately 60 gal./t of mulch material. The ex act amount shall be as directed. 3 . M e t h o d C The mulch may be held in place with binder twine fastened down with wooden pegs not less than 6 in. long spaced 4 ft ap art. The twine shall be placed parallel to and also at 60° with the pavement edge in both directions. The distance between the intersections of the diagonal strands measured along the strands shall be 12 ft. The strand parallel to the pavement shall cross the diagonal strands at their intersections to form equilateral triangles 12 ft on a side.
4.Method D The mulch may be held in place with a polymeric plastic net. The plastic net shall 130 be unrolled such that it lays out flat, evenly, and smoothly, without stretching the material. The plastic net shall be held in pl ace by means of staples. The wire staples shall be driven at a 90° angle to the plane of the soil slope. Staples shall be spaced not more than 4 ft apart with ro ws alternately spaced. The plastic net shall be secured along the top and bottom of the soil slope with staples spaced not more than 1 ft on center. The ends and edges of the plastic net shall be overlapped approximately 4 in. and stapled. Overlaps running parallel to the slope shall be stapled 1 ft on center and overlaps running perpendicular to the slope shall be stapled at least 3 ft on center. The plastic net shall be placed with the length r unning from top of slope to toe of slope, or the plastic net shall be placed with the length running horizontally or parallel to the 140 contour. 5. Method E The area may be covered with erosion control blankets. The Contractor will be allowed to use excelsior blanket, paper mat, or straw mat.
d.Excelsior Blankets Excelsior blankets may be used where mulched seeding is specified or where erosion control blanket is sp ecified. Excelsior blankets shall be placed within 24 h after seeding operations have been completed. The ground shall be prepared in 150 accordance with 621.04. After the area has been properly shaped, fertilized, and seeded, the blanket shall be laid out flat, evenly, and smoothly, without stretching the material. Excelsior blankets shall be held in place by means of staples. The staples shall be driven at a 90° angle to the plane of the soil slope. Staples shall be spaced not more than 5 ft apart in three rows for each strip, with a row along each edge and one row alternately spaced in th e middle. The upslope edge shall be fastened by staples spaced 12 in. apart. The ends and edges of the blankets shall be tightly butted together, but not lapped. When excelsior blanket is used, the blanket shall be placed with the length running from top of slope to toe of slope, or the blanket shall be placed with the length running horizontally or parallel to the contour. The staples used for stapling 160 621.05 566 shall be in accordance with 914.09(f).
e.Paper Mat Paper mat may be used for mulch for seeding where mulched seeding is specified or where erosion control blanket is specified. Paper mat shall be placed within 24 h after seeding operations have been completed. The ground shall be prepared in accordance with 621.04. After the area has been properly shap ed, fertilized, and seeded, two anchor trenches shall be dug, one along the foot of the slope and the other 1 ft back from the 170 crown of the slope. These anchor trenches shall be 4 in. deep and at least 6 in. wide. One edge of the paper mat shall be placed into the top trench and stapled 9 in. on center. The trench shall then be filled with soil. The paper mat shall then be unrolled such that it lays out flat, evenly, and smoothly, without stretching the material. Paper mat shall be held in place by means of stap les. The staples shall be driven at a 90° angle to the plane of the soil slope. Staples shall be placed not more than 3 ft apart with rows alternately spaced. The paper ma t shall be secured in the bottom anchor trench in the same manner as it was secured in the upper anchor trench. The ends and edges of the mat shall be overlapped at least 4 in. and stapled. Overlaps running parallel to the slope shall be stapled 18 in. on center and overlaps running perpendicular to the slope shall be stapled at least 9 in. on center. When paper mat is used, the mat shall be pl aced with the length running from top of slope to toe of slope, or the mat shall be placed with the length running horizontally or parallel to the contour.
f.Straw Mat Straw mat may be used for mulch for seeding on projects where mulched seeding is specified or where erosion control bla nket is specified. Straw mat shall be placed within 24 h after seeding. The ground sha ll be prepared in accordance with 621.04. 190 After the area has been properly shaped, fertilized, and seeded, the straw mat shall be unrolled over the designated area so that the plastic mesh is on top and the straw fibers are snugly and uniformly in contact with the soil surface without stretching the material. The rolls shall be butted snugly together and stapled in place. The staples shall be driven through the blanket at a 90° angle to the plane of the ground surface. Each staple shall anchor the plastic mesh. The staples shall be spaced at approximately 3 ft increments, both longitudinally and transversely. For placement on slopes, the straw mat shall be placed with the length running from the top of slope to the toe of slope and shall extend a minimum of 3 ft over the 200 crown of the slope. On slope applications, six staples shall be installed across the uphill end of the roll. The downhill ends of the lowermost rolls across the slope shall also be anchored with six staples, placed on uniform spacing. For placement in ditch lin es, the straw mat shall be unrolled parallel to the centerline of the ditch. The mat shall be pl aced so that there are no longitudinal seams 621.05 567 within 24 in. of the bottom centerline of the ditch. In ditch lines, six staples shall be placed at uniform spacing across the upstream end of each roll.
g.Wood Cellulose Fiber Mulch 210 Wood cellulose fiber may be used where mulched seeding is specified. Wood cellulose fiber mulch shall be placed at the ra te of 1 ton/ac within 24 h after seeding operations have been completed. Application shall be by hydraulic mulching and consist of mixing wood cellulose fiber mulch and grass seed with water. It shall be mixed in standard hydraulic mulching equipment to form a homogeneous slurry. The slurry shall be sprayed, under pressure, uniformly over the soil surface. The hydraulic mulching equipment shall contain a continuous agitation system that keeps all materials in uniform suspension throughout the mixing and distribution cycles. Fertilizer shall be applied in accordance with 621.05(a). 220
621.06 Seed Mixtures
Seed mixtures are classified as follo ws. Mixes including warm season grasses, forbs, or aquatic species will be specified in the plans.
a.Seed Mixture R This seed mixture shall be applied at the rate of 202.5 lb/ac consisting of 100 lb/ac of low endophyte Tall Fescue, 50 lb/ac of turf type Perennial Ryegrass, 50 lb/ac of Creeping Red Fescue, and 2.5 lb/ac of White Dutch Clover. Seed used in this mixture shall be drought tolerant. Fertilizer and mulc hing material, where sp ecified or directed, shall be applied in accordance with 621.05. 230
b.Seed Mixture U This seed mixture shall be applied at the rate of 196.5 lb/ac consisting of 100 lb/ac of a 4-way blend of turf type Tall Fescue, 50 lb/ac Creeping Red Fescue, 45 lb/ac Perennial Ryegrass, and 1.5 lb/ac White Dutch Clover. Fertilizer and mulching material, where specified or directed, sha ll be applied in accordance with 621.05.
c.Seed Mixture P This seed mixture shall be applied at the rate of 130 lb/ac consisting of 35 lb/ac of Weeping Alkaligrass, 35 lb/ac of Creeping Red Fescue, 35 lb/ac of Slender 240 Creeping Red Fescue, and 25 lb/ac of Perenni al Ryegrass. Seed used for this mixture shall be salt tolerant. Fertilizer shall be app lied at the rate of 400 lb/ac. Fertilizer and mulching material, where specified or dir ected, shall be applied in accordance with 621.05.
d.Seed Mixture Shade This seed mixture shall be applied at the rate of 145 lb/ac consisting of 35 lb/ac of Fine Fescue, 40 lb/ac of Perennial Ryegrass, 40 lb/ac of Tall Fescue, 10 lb/ac of Kentucky Bluegrass, 15 lb/ac of Timothy, 3 lb/ac of Redtop, and 2 lb/ac of Alsike Clover. Seed used for this mixture shall be shade tolerant varieties or cultivars. 250 Fertilizer and mulching material, where specified or directed, shall be applied in accordance with 621.05. 621.06 568 (e) Seed Mi xture Floodplain This seed mixture is intended for areas that require natural habitat restoration below the 100 year floodplain in conjunction with IDNR Construction in a Floodway permit. If certain species in this mix are unavailable, substitutions may be allowed when approved by the Engineer. This mix quantity shall be measured in pure live seed, PLS, pounds per acre. This mixture shall be applied at a rate of 20 PLS lb/ac. This seed mix shall include seasonal cover crop. Fertilizer shall not be applied with this 260 seed mixture. Common Name Botanical Name Application Rate, PLS Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus 2 lb/ac Canada Wildrye Elymus canadensis 2 lb/ac Rough Dropseed Sporobolus asper 2.5 lb/ac Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 8.4 lb/ac Purpletop Tridens flavus 0.4 lb/ac Upland Bentgrass Agrostis perennans 0.2 lb/ac Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculate 0.8 lb/ac Illinois Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis 0.6 lb/ac Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 0.6 lb/ac Showy Tick Trefoil Desmodium canadense 0.4 lb/ac Foxtail Barley Hordeum jubatum 0.6 lb/ac Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 0.6 lb/ac False Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides 0.4 lb/ac Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 0.2 lb/ac Yellow Coneflower Ratibida pinnata 0.2 lb/ac Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 0.1 lb/ac A seasonal cover crop shall be applied with seed mixture Floodplain. The Spring Summer Cover Crop mix shall be applied during spring and summer months and no later than July 31 of the current year. The Fall Cover Crop mix shall be applied in fall months and no earlier than August 1 of the current year. Cover crops shall be applied at 50 PLS lb/ac. 1. Spring Summer Cover Crop 270 Common Name Botanical Name Application Rate, PLS Common Oat Avena sativa 35 lb/ac Annual Ryegrass Lolium multiflorum 15 lb/ac
2.Fall Cover Crop Common Name Botanical Name Application Rate, PLS Cereal Rye Secale cereal 35 lb/ac Austrian Winter Pea Pisum sativum 10 lb/ac Crimson Clover Trifolium incarnatum 5 lb/ac 621.06 “Do Not Spray” signs shall be placed near the beginning and end of this work, at 200 ft intervals, or as otherwise directed. The sign shall be 16 gauge aluminum. The size and message arrangement shall be as shown on the plans. The sign background shall be white. The sign lettering shall be black. The sign shall not be reflectorized. Paint and primer shall be in accordance with 909.04. The sign post shall be placed as 280 shown on the plans. The post shall otherwise be in accordance with 910.15.
621.07 Mulched Seeding
Mulched seeding, when specified, shall consist of applying the seed mixtures in accordance with 621.06(a), 621.06(b), 621.06(c), and 621.06(d) as specified. This mixture shall include fertilizer and mulching material in the amounts set out herein. If erosion control blanket is specified, the Contractor will be allowed to use excelsior blanket, paper mat, or straw mat in accordan ce with 621.05(d), 621.05(e), or 621.05(f), respectively.
621.08 Preparation of Ground Before Sodding The area to be sodded shall be smooth, uniform, and shall be in accordance with the required cross-section. Surfaces prepared for sod shall be of sufficient depth below
unseated areas that newly laid sod shall be in accordance with the surrounding surface. For those areas which shall be covered with topsoil, the procedure for the application of topsoil shall be in accordance with 621.03. After the area has been prepared for sod, fertilizer shall be applied at the rate of 400 lb/ac. The surface shall be loosened to a depth of 1 to 2 in. and then raked before 300 the sod is placed. All clods, lumps, boulders , or waste material shall be removed satisfactorily. In areas where the above method of preparation is impracticable, a different method may be approved.
621.09 Laying Sod
Sod strips shall be laid in the designated direction. The sod shall be fitted to the surrounding grade and fixed objects. The sod strips shall be butted together closely to avoid open joints. Overlapping of sod will not be allowed. After laying and initial 310 watering, the sod shall be tamped or rolled as directed to ensure contact with the soil underneath and shall be in accordance with the surrounding surface. After compaction, the sod shall present a smooth even surface free from lumps and depressions. On slopes of 3:1 or flatter, the use of broken sod st rips will be allowed. Where broken pieces are laid, no overlaps will be allowed. Sod placed in ditches with grades stee per than 1% and on slopes 3:1 and steeper shall be pegged. The pegs shall be spaced not over 2 ft apart in each strip measured lengthwise of the strip. Pegs shall be driven down until no more than 1 in. protrudes 621.09 570 above the surface of the sod. Grades and slope s flatter than specified herein shall be 320 pegged as directed. Pegs shall be wood at least 1/2 in. by 3/4 in. by 12 in. In lieu of pegs, T-shaped wire pins may be used. The pins shall be machine bent from 8 gauge low carbon steel with a minimum of an 8 in. leg, a 4 in. head, and a 1 in. secondary drive. Pins shall be driven flush with the top of the sod.
621.10 Watering Sod
Sod shall be watered immediately after laying. The amount of watering shall be sufficient to saturate the sod and the upper few inches of the underlying soil. The sod 330 shall be watered once every day of the first week, once every second day of the second week, once every third day of the third week , and once a week thereafter. Sod shall be maintained for a minimum of four weeks from the time it is laid before being accepted. During periods of ample rainfall, watering may be modified to simulate the above schedule. The requirements of 107.19 shall apply. 621.11 Seeding or Sodding Disturbed Areas Outside Construction Limits Areas outside shown construction limits which are disturbed by the Contractor shall be repaired to their original condition or better. The areas shall be seeded with seed mixture R, U, P, Shade, or Floodplain as directed. If the contract contains seed 340 mixtures other than the mixes listed here, the Contractor may seed the disturbed area with the mixture contained in the contract provided the area is less than 1 ac in size. If the area disturbed is well maintained and part of a residential or commercial lot, it shall be sodded unless the Engineer determines otherwise.
621.12 Seasonal Limitations The Contractor shall post a warranty bond for all permanent seeding done from
October 16 through January 31. Only completed seeding with seed mixtures R, U, P, or Shade will satisfy the requirements of the warranty bond. Seeding without mulch shall not be done between May 1 and August 15. 350 Sod placed during the months of June, July, and August shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) sod shall be in good, live, growing condition; and (b) sod shall be placed within 36 h after cutting and protected from damage during that period. Winter sodding will be allowed when the temperature is above 35°F. No frozen sod shall be laid and no sod shall be laid on frozen soil. Sod shall be properly protected 360 from drying out and shall be laid within 48 h after cutting.
621.13 Method of Measurement
Fertilizer and mulching material will be measured by the ton. Seed mixtures will be measured by the pound. Spring Summer Cover Crop and Fall Cover Crop seed 621.10 571 mixtures used in conjuncti on with seed mixture Floodplai n will not be measured for payment. Topsoil will be measured by the cubic yard in accordance with 211.09. Mulched seeding and sodding will be meas ured by the square yard. Water will be measured by the 1,000 gal. Mobilization and demobilization for seeding will be measured per each trip, when directed, to the project site. “Do Not Spray” signs will 370 be measured by the number of signs installed. 621.14 Basis of Payment The accepted quantities of fertilizer and mulching materi al, furnished and delivered complete in place, wi ll be paid for at the contract unit price per ton, except as set out below for sodding. Seed mixtures will be paid for at the contract unit price per pound for the class and type specified. Mulched seeding will be paid for at the contract unit price per square yard for the class and type specified, complete in place. Topsoil will be paid for at the contract unit price per cubic yard. Sodding and nursery sodding will be paid for at the contract uni t price per square yard, complete in place. 380 “Do Not Spray” signs will be paid for at the contract unit price per each. Payment for mobilization and demobilization for seeding will be made for the initial movement to the project site so that permanent or mulching work, as specified, is performed. When one or more operations are completed within the same mobilization, payment will be made for one mobilization. Payment will be for all work necessary to move personnel and equipment to and from the project site. Payment will also be made for additional mobilization, when directed. Payment will be made under: 390 Pay Item Pay Unit Symbol Erosion Control Blanket ............................................................ SYS Fertilizer .................................................................................... TON Mobilization and Demobili zation for Seeding........................... EACH Mulched Seeding _____ ............................................................ SYS class Mulching Material ..................................................................... TON Seed Mixture _____ .................................................................. LBS 400 class Sign, “Do Not Spray” ................................................................ EACH Sodding ...................................................................................... SYS Sodding, Nursery ....................................................................... SYS Topsoil ....................................................................................... CYS Water ......................................................................................... kGAL. The cost of leguminous inoculants, preparing seed beds, sowing, raking, and all other necessary incidentals shall be included in the cost of seed mixtures. The cost of Spring Summer Cover Crop and Fall Cover Crop used in conjunction with seed 410 mixture Floodplain shall be included in the cost of seed mixture Floodplain. The cost 621.14 572 of furnishing and placing fertilizer, water, seed mixtures, and mulching material, in addition to the incidentals listed above for seed mixtures shall be included in the cost of mulched seeding. The cost of furnishing, hauling, and placing the material, including material used as tie-down, repair of areas for which mulch fails to stay in place, all labor, equipment, and necessary incidentals shall be included in the cost of mulching material. Repair of areas outside the construction limits which must be disturbed to 420 construct the work required by the contract will be paid for in accordance with 201.07(e). Water will be paid for only when ordered after the 30 day period, in accordance with 621.10. Payment will not be made for topsoil which is obtained from within the right-of-way. The cost of fertilizer, water, excavation of earth bed, disposal of surplus material, 430 and all necessary incidentals shall be in cluded in the cost of sodding or nursery sodding.
a.Warranty Bond Permanent seeding that requires a warranty bond to meet the requirements of 621.12 shall be warranted against failure resu lting from lack of germination or method of application. The seeding shall be warranted to germinate and shall be free of obvious erosion occurrences. The intent of the warranty bond shall be to enable the final acceptance of the contract and payment of the retainage. All seeding which has significantly failed to attain approximately 70% germination shall be replaced with no 440 additional payment. A properly executed maintenance bond with a surety shall be provided prior to the completion of the work. A warranty shall be made, with no additional payment, to replace all seeding in areas which has not effectively performed useful service as specified, as well as for th e repair of designated erosion areas caused by seeding failure. Such warranty shall be in writing with proper execution of the maintenance bond with a proper surety. The warranty shall be equivalent to 1 1/2 times the cost of the seeding work completed after October 15 with a minimum bond amount of $25,000. All requirements for seeding work will still apply during the warranty period unless otherwise directed. For the terms of the warranty, a reseeding unit shall be defined as an area equal to or larger than 2,000 sq ft in size. An erosion unit may be of an area of significance as determined. The warranty shall cover work completed from October 16 through January 31. The Department will determine if the Contractor shall be released from the warranty. This determination will be made within 10 calendar days after documented request for 621.14 573 inspection is made by the Contractor. Such determination will not be made prior to April 1. All replacement work shall be finished prior to June 15 with no additional payment. The requirements of 107.17 will apply to the warranty area only. The 460 Engineer will certify in writing as to the completion of the work and will make proper notification for the releasing of the bond. If the Contractor does not complete the n ecessary repairs before June 15, and there are no justifiable reasons for the Department to grant an extension, the Contractor shall forfeit the bond for the seeding work only. If a bond is forfeited, the Contractor will be required to explain to the Department why the Contractor’s experience reduction factors do not warrant an increase. (b) Changed Fertilizer 470 A fertilizer may be required with a higher nitrogen content than that specified, or the fertilizer specified may be required to be enriched by adding chemicals in order to be in accordance with such requirements. A ll additional cost incurred due to such procedure will be paid at the prices shown by certified vouchers. Such payment will include and will be full compensation for furnishing the required chemicals, or furnishing and processing the additional materials required. ( c ) M u l c h i n g The percent of moisture shall be determined at the time the mulching material is weighed. Facilities shall be provided for weighing in accordance with 109.01(b). 480 Arrangements shall be made in advance so that the percent of moisture will be determined at the time of weighing and that the weight of the material will be checked. Moisture content of the mulch will be determined on the basis of air dry weight as follows: Wet Weight of sample – Air Dry Weight of sample Moisture Content % = ---------------------------------------------------------------- x 100 Air Dry Weight of Sample The gross, or wet, weight of mulching material furnished and placed will be paid 490 for if the moisture content does not exceed 10%. If the moisture content exceeds 10%, the weight to be paid for will be the gross, or wet, weight minus the weight of excess moisture computed as follows: Weight to be paid for = G x ------------ (100 + M) where: G = Gross, or wet, weight of mulching material M = Moisture content, %, in the mulching material to the nearest 0.5%. 500 Mulching material which contains more than 50% moisture will be rejected. Wood cellulose fiber mulch containing more than 15% moisture will be rejected. 621.14
Source: Indiana Standard Specifications, 2024 Edition. Pages 416–427 of 1,248.