CATEGORY 700 LANDSCAPING SECTION 706 — SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT
706.01 Description
Establish shrub seeding in topsoil or other specified soil substrate to provide permanent vegetation groundcover. When it is not possible to perform Shrub Seeding Establishment to provide permanent soil stabilization, refer to Section 704 and perform Temporary Mulch, or as directed. Performance of Shrub Seeding Establishment as specified herein complies with all requirements of the Maryland Department of the Environment for permanent seeding.
706.02 Materials
Fertilizer 920.03.01 Straw Mulch 920.04.01 Wood Cellulose Fiber 920.04.02 Tall Fescue, Hard Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass 920.06.06(a) Common Oat 920.06.06(b) Meadow Forb Seed 920.06.06(c) Meadow Grass, Sedge and Rush Seed 920.06.06(d) Shrub Seed 920.06.06(f) Water 920.09.01 Seed Carrier 920.09.02 Pesticides 920.09.03
706.03 Construction
706.03.01 General.
a.Regions. Refer to 705.03.01(a).
b.Seeding Seasons. Perform operations according to Table 1 when soil moisture and weather conditions are suitable, when the temperature is above 32 F, and the soil is not frozen. Cease operations when conditions are unsuitable. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT TABLE 1 - SEEDING SEASONS AND SEED MIXES REGION SEEDING SEASON - MONTH/DAY Spring Summer Fall Late Fall & Winter SHA Lowland Shrub Seed or SHA Upland Shrub Seed 1 3/1 to 6/14 6/15 to 7/31 8/1 to 9/30 10/1 to 2/29 2 3/1 to 5/14 5/15 to 7/31 8/1 to 10/14 10/15 to 2/29 3 3/1 to 4/30 5/1 to 7/31 8/1 to 10/31 11/1 to 2/29 Plus Additive A* Plus Additive B* Notes*: Additive A = Tall Fescue Additive B = Common Oat
c.Pesticide Application. The Contractor shall possess a Maryland Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide Business License and a Pesticide Applicator Certificate for the pertinent pesticide application Category: (2) Forest; (3A) Ornamental Plant Exterior; (3-C) Turf; (5) Aquatic; (6) Right-of-Way and Weed. Apply pesticides in conformance with the Maryland Pesticide Applicator’s Law, OSHA and MOSH regulations, and the manufacturer’s label and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Ensure that pesticides are applied by a Maryland Certified Pesticide Applicator, or by a Registered Pesticide Applicator under the supervision of a Certified Pesticide Applicator.
d.Pesticide Application Reporting. Record the location and details of pesticide applications on the Pesticide Application Reporting Form. Submit the Form within 24 hours after applying pesticides.
e.Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). Soil testing will be performed and a NMP will be developed by the Administration. Conform to the application rates of the NMP and replace application rates of Table 2 in 706.03.05 as required by the NMP. When no NMP has been developed, apply 200 lb per acre of 20-16-12 (83 percent UF with MAP & SOP) fertilizer as the NMP rate for Shrub Seeding Establishment.
f.Nutrient Management Reporting. Record the location and details of soil amendment and fertilizer applications on the Nutrient Management Reporting Form. Submit the Form within 24 hours after applying soil amendments and fertilizer.
g.Seeding Schedule. Develop a Schedule that provides dates for completing seeding operations. Submit the written Schedule at least 14 days before beginning operations. The Schedule will be reviewed by the Engineer and Landscape Programs Division for completeness and feasibility, and will be approved or returned for correction. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
h.IPM Program and Establishment Schedule. Refer to 701.03.01(c) and 920.01.01. Develop an IPM Program to control prohibited weeds that includes methods of pest monitoring for weed control, pesticide selection, application rates, and scheduling. Submit the IPM Program and Establishment Schedule when seeding operations are completed. The Program and Schedule will be forwarded to the Landscape Programs Division for review and comment before approval is granted.
706.03.02 Modification Request. Submit a written Modification Request to install other species;
or to adjust seeding rates; or to install an approved tackifier at manufacturer’s recommended application rates in lieu of wood cellulose fiber to secure straw mulch; or to use Type D or Type E Soil Stabilization Matting as specified in Section 709 in lieu of straw mulch and wood cellulose fiber in areas where those mattings have not been specified. The Engineer in consultation with the Landscape Programs Division will evaluate the Request. If granted, a notice of approved modification will be returned within 14 days after the request is received.
706.03.03 Grade Repair and Preparing Soil. Refer to 705.03.04 and 705.03.05.
706.03.04 Seed Delivery, Weighing, and Mixing. Deliver seed unmixed with label showing
common name and scientific name as specified in 920.06. Test seed as specified in 920.06.05 before weighing and mixing. Use a scale with 0.01 oz or gram accuracy to verify application rates and quantities of seed. Mix and apply seed separately or with other specified seed.
706.03.05 Application Rates. Refer to 706.03.01(b) and Table 1, and include seed additives as
specified. Apply materials according to Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4. SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT TABLE 2 – APPLICATION RATES MATERIAL LB PER yd2 LB PER ACRE FERTILIZER per Nutrient Management Plan a, b 20-16-12 (83% UF with MAP & SOP) or one or more of the followingc 0 to 0.041 0 to 200 38-0-0 (UF) 0 to 0.021 0 to 100 11-52-0 (MAP) 0 to 0.036 0 to 175 0-0-50 (SOP) 0 to 0.041 0 to 200 SHRUB SEED AND OTHER SEED SPECIES Select one of the following: RATE GRAM PER yd2 GRAM PER yd2 SHA Lowland Shrub Seed and Other Seed Species Refer to Table 3 – Application Rates SHA Upland Shrub Seed and Other Seed Species Refer to Table 4 – Application Rates 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 802706 — SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT ADDITIVE SEED when required per Table 1 RATE LB PER yd2 LB PER ACRE A = Tall Fescue 0.005 25 B = Common Oat 0.010 50 STRAW MULCH 0.413 2000 WOOD CELLULOSE FIBER to secure straw mulch 0.103 500 Notes: a For existing topsoil and salvaged topsoil, the application rates will be included in the Contract documents. For furnished topsoil, the application rates will be developed for the approved source of supply. bWhen no NMP has been developed, apply 200 lb per acre of 20-16-12 initial fertilizer. cUF = Ureaform; MAP = Monoammonium Phosphate; SOP = Sulfate of Potash. When application rate of 20-16-12 fertilizer is below 200 lb per acre, apply UF, MAP, and SOP per NMP. SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT TABLE 3 - APPLICATION RATES - LOWLAND SHRUB SEED SHRUB SPECIES Select 7 Marked 'x' SEEDING RATE REGION GRAM PER yd2 LB PER ACRE 1 2 3 American Cranberrybush 0.281 3.0 x x American Black Elderberry 0.235 2.5 x x x Blackhaw 0.281 3.0 x x Common Buttonbush 0.328 3.5 x x x Common Winterberry 0.281 3.0 x x Desert False Indigo 0.281 3.0 x x Inkberry 0.328 3.5 x x Maryland Senna 0.188 2.0 x x x Ninebark 0.094 1.0 x x Red Chokeberry 0.188 2.0 x x x Redosier Dogwood 0.328 3.5 x x Silky Dogwood 0.188 2.0 x x x Southern Arrowwood 0.328 3.5 x x Steeplebush 0.094 1.0 x x Swamp Rose 0.141 1.5 x x OTHER SEED SPECIES Select All Marked 'x' GRAM PER yd2 LB PER ACRE 1 2 3 Blackeyed Susan, PLS1 0.094 1.0 x x x Deertongue, PLS1 0.188 2.0 x x x Kentucky Bluegrass 0.469 5.0 x x x Purpletop, PLS1 0.094 1.0 x x x Switchgrass, PLS1 0.094 1.0 x x x Purple Coneflower, PLS1 0.188 2.0 x x x Note: 1 The rate shown is Pure Live Seed. Use germination and purity data from the seed tag to calculate the actual seeding rate needed to obtain the seeding rate in Pure Live Seed. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT TABLE 4 - APPLICATION RATES - UPLAND SHRUB SEED SEEDING RATE REGION SHRUB SPECIES Select 7 Marked 'x' GRAM PER yd2 LB PER ACRE 1 2 3 Black Chokeberry 0.094 1.0 x x x Blackhaw 0.281 3.0 x x x Bristly Locust 0.235 2.5 x Chokecherry 0.281 3.0 x x Fragrant Sumac 0.281 3.0 x Gray Dogwood 0.281 3.0 x x Mapleleaf Viburnum 0.141 1.5 x x Nannyberry 0.281 3.0 x x x Red Elderberry 0.047 0.5 x Smooth Sumac 0.281 3.0 x x x Spicebush 0.281 3.0 x x Staghorn Sumac 0.281 3.0 x x x Witch Hazel 0.281 3.0 x x OTHER SEED SPECIES Select All Marked 'x' GRAM PER yd2 LB PER ACRE 1 2 3 Blackeyed Susan, PLS1 0.047 0.5 x x x Hard Fescue 1.876 20.0 x x x Indiangrass, PLS1 0.188 2.0 x x x Purpletop, PLS1 0.094 1.0 x x x Switchgrass, PLS1 0.094 1.0 x x x Wild Bergamot, PLS1 0.019 0.2 x x x Note: 1 The rate shown is Pure Live Seed. Use germination and purity data from the seed tag to calculate the actual seeding rate needed to obtain the seeding rate in Pure Live Seed.
706.03.06 Preparing Soil. Provide a uniform and porous surface that is free of debris and weeds
as follows.
a.Areas Flatter than 4:1. Remove clods, stones, wood, metal and other debris with a length or width greater than 1-1/2 in. in any dimension from the soil surface. If no soil amendments are required according to the NMP, and when a drill seeder will be used for seeding, tilling will not be required.
b.Slopes 4:1 and Steeper. Track slopes 4:1 and steeper with cleated track equipment operated perpendicular to the slope. Apply soil amendments to tracked soil.
c.Debris Removal. Remove stones, wood, metal, and other debris with a length or width greater than 3 in. from the soil surface.
706.03.07 Fertilizing and Seeding. Use spreaders, drills, or other approved machinery.
Hydroseeders shall not be used to apply seed or fertilizer. Apply fertilizer and seed after preparing soil. Seeders shall be capable of uniformly placing seed and fertilizer at the specified rate. Calibrate equipment before application. Apply materials accurately and uniformly to avoid misses and overlaps. Do not operate machinery during windy weather that may interfere with uniform application.
706.03.08 Mulching. Refer to 705.03.07. 706.03.09 Seeding Phase Acceptance. Refer to 705.03.08. 706.03.10 Establishment Phase. The Establishment Phase will begin upon Seeding Phase
Acceptance.
a.Period of Maintenance. Maintain seeded areas for 12 months after Seeding Phase Acceptance.
b.Required Maintenance. Perform the following during the Establishment Phase. Watering. Apply water to ensure survival of the seeded species as needed. Apply water to seeded and mulched areas with approved machinery. Do not allow water to cause erosion or to displace the mulch. Weed Control. Refer to 706.03.01(h). Monitor and promptly implement the IPM Program to control weeds in conformance with the IPM Program as needed or as directed. Remove weeds over 18 in. tall. Overseeding. Overseeding consists of seeding and mulching areas where living seedling coverage is less than 70 percent. When living seedling groundcover is not acceptable, perform overseeding as directed. Repair grades but do not cut vegetation or prepare soil. Apply seed mixtures, seed additives, fertilizer, mulch, and secure mulch as specified in 706.03.01 through 706.03.08.
c.Partial Establishment Phase Inspection. Seeded areas will be inspected six months after Seeding Phase Acceptance. The Inspection Report will include actions to perform before Partial Establishment Phase Acceptance is granted.
706.03.11 Final Acceptance. The Engineer and the Quality Assurance Division will complete an
Inspection Report of seedling height, color, and percent coverage at the end of the Period of Maintenance. When it is not possible to perform the Inspection, Final Acceptance will be delayed until Inspection is possible. The Inspection Report will be included in the Punch List requirements for the project. Complete the Punch List requirements as directed. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS Final Acceptance will be granted after all operations have been completed, and when shrub seedlings and other permanent seeded species have grown at least 4 in. tall, exhibit dark green color, and are at least 95 percent groundcover.
706.04 Measurement and Payment
Shrub Seeding Establishment will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price for one or more of the Specified items. The payment will be full compensation for applying soil amendments and fertilizer in conformance with the Nutrient Management Plan, and for all material, labor, equipment, tools, disposal fees and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
a.Payment Schedule. Payments will be made according to Table 5 when construction requirements are met. SHRUB SEEDING ESTABLISHMENT TABLE 5 - PAYMENT SCHEDULE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS PERCENT OF TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE PAYMENT FOR COMPLETED WORK
706.03.01 through 706.03.09 70% At Seeding Phase
Acceptance
706.03.10 15% At Partial Establishment
Phase Acceptance
706.03.10 and 706.03.11 15% At Final Acceptance
Total Payment 100%
b.Forfeiture. Failure to complete operations as required or directed in conformance with the Payment Schedule will result in forfeiture of that percentage of payment.
706.04.01 Upland Shrub Seeding will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per
square yard. The use of other materials in conformance with an approved Modification Request shall be incidental to the Contract unit price and will not be measured or paid for.
706.04.02 Lowland Shrub Seeding will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per
square yard. The use of other materials in conformance with an approved Modification Request shall be incidental to the Contract unit price and will not be measured or paid for.
706.04.03 Temporary Mulch will be measured and paid for at the pertinent Contract unit price
per square yard. 707 — MEADOW ESTABLISHMENT CATEGORY 700 LANDSCAPING SECTION 707 — MEADOW ESTABLISHMENT
707.01 Description
Establish meadow in topsoil or other specified soil substrate to provide permanent vegetation groundcover. When it is not possible to perform Meadow Establishment, refer to Section 704 and perform Temporary Mulch, or as directed. Performance of Meadow Establishment as specified herein complies with all requirements of the Maryland Department of the Environment for permanent seeding.
707.02 Materials
Fertilizer 920.03.01 Straw Mulch 920.04.01 Wood Cellulose Fiber 920.04.02 Tall Fescue, Hard Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass 920.06.06(a) Common Oat, Perennial Ryegrass 920.06.06(b) Meadow Forb Seed 920.06.06(c) Meadow Grass, Sedge and Rush Seed 920.06.06(d) Wildflower Seed 920.06.06(e) SHA Turfgrass Seed Mix 920.06.07(a) Water 920.09.01 Seed Carrier 920.09.02 Pesticides 920.09.03
707.03 Construction
707.03.01 General.
a.Regions. Refer to 705.03.01.
b.Seeding Seasons. Perform operations in conformance with Table 1 when soil moisture and weather conditions are suitable, when the temperature is above 32 F, and the soil is not frozen. Cease operations when conditions are unsuitable. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
Source: Maryland Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2025 Edition. Pages 812–818 of 1,113.