708Turfgrass Sod Establishment

708.01 Description

Establish turfgrass sod on topsoil or other specified soil substrate to provide permanent vegetation groundcover. When it is not possible to perform Turfgrass Sod Establishment, refer to Section 704 and perform Temporary Mulch, or as directed. Performance of Turfgrass Sod Establishment as specified herein complies with all requirements of the Maryland Department of the Environment for permanent vegetation groundcover.

708.02 Materials

Fertilizer 920.03.01 Turfgrass Sod 920.06.03 Fasteners 920.05.02 Water 920.09.01

708.03 Construction

708.03.01 General.

708.03.02 Grade Repair. Refer to 705.03.04.

708.03.03 Preparing Soil. Refer to 705.03.05.

708.03.04 Application Rates. Apply materials according to Table 1.

TABLE 1 - APPLICATION RATES MATERIAL LB PER yd2 LB PER ACRE INITAL FERTILIZER per Nutrient Management Plana, b 20-16-12 (83% UF with MAP & SOP) 0 to 0.041 0 to 200 or one or more of the followingc 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 SEED MIXES; select one SHA Turfgrass Seed Mix, applied to roadsides, facilities, and other designated areas 0.041 200 or SHA Special Purpose Seed Mix, applied to slopes 4:1 and steeper within four miles of a State airport, and other designated areas. 0.041 200 ADDITIVE SEED; when required per Table 1 SHA Temporary Seed Mix 0.006 25 STRAW MULCH 0.826 4000 WOOD CELLULOSE FIBER to secure straw mulch 0.155 750 REFERTILIZINGd 37-0-0 Sulfur Coated Urea (SCU) 0.021 100 Notes: aFor 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. dRefer to 705.03.06(d) and 705.03.09(c). Apply Refertilizing when included in the Contract documents. 708 — TURFGRASS SOD ESTABLISHMENT 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

708.03.05 Initial Fertilizer. Apply initial fertilizer after preparing soil, or after installing sod,

according to Table 1. When sodding from November 16 to February 29, apply initial fertilizer during March, and apply refertilizing in conformance with 708.03.12 during April. Use spreaders, drills, or other approved machinery. Machinery shall be capable of uniformly placing 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.

708.03.06 Transporting and Handling Sod. Transport and install turfgrass sod within 48 hours

after harvest. Handle sod without excessive breaking, tearing, or loss of soil.

708.03.07 Placing Sod. Place sod neatly over the soil surface. Ensure that sod edges are tightly

abutted. Do not overlap edges of sod, or leave gaps between strips of sod.

708.03.08 Securing. Install fasteners in locations where sod may be dislodged by water flow.

Secure turfgrass sod to the soil of ditches and slopes with at least two fasteners per strip spaced no more than 2 ft apart. Drive the fasteners through the sod and firmly into the soil, so there is no gap at the top of the fastener.

708.03.09 Firming. Tamp or roll turfgrass sod after installation and securing sod to close press

the sod firmly into the soil. Hand tampers shall weigh approximately 15 lb with a flat surface of approximately 100 in2. Rollers shall weigh approximately 40 lb per ft of width.

708.03.10 Initial Watering. Gently apply water with a sprinkler or water-breaker nozzle over the

surface of the sod. Do not allow water to cause erosion or to displace the sod. Perform the first watering within 4 hours after placing sod. Wet the soil to a depth at least 2 in. below the sod.

708.03.11 Installation Acceptance. Submit a request for Installation Phase Acceptance when

operations are completed. Inspection will be conducted to verify completion. Installation Phase Acceptance will be granted at that time.

708.03.12 Establishment Phase. The Establishment Phase will begin upon Installation Phase

Acceptance. Perform the following during the Establishment Phase.

708.03.13 Final Acceptance. The Engineer and the Quality Assurance Division will complete

an Inspection Report of sod height, color, and percent groundcover. 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. Final Acceptance will be granted after all operations have been completed, and when the turfgrass sod has grown at least 4 in. tall, exhibits dark green color, is firmly rooted into the soil, and is at least 99 percent groundcover.

708.04 Measurement and Payment

Turfgrass Sod 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 all material, labor, equipment, tools, disposal fees and incidentals necessary to complete the work.

708.03.01 through 708.03.11 80% At Installation Phase

Acceptance

708.03.12 (a), 708.03.12(b)

and 705.03.13 20% At Final Acceptance Total Payment 100%

708.04.01 Turfgrass Sod Establishment, including grade repair, preparing soil, applying soil

amendments and initial fertilizer in conformance with the Nutrient Management Plan, sod, fasteners, watering, resetting sod, sod replacement, and mowing will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard. 708 — TURFGRASS SOD ESTABLISHMENT 2026 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

708.04.02 Zoysiagrass Sod Establishment, including grade repair, preparing soil, applying soil

amendments and initial fertilizer in conformance with the Nutrient Management Plan, sod, fasteners, watering, resetting sod, sod replacement, and mowing will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard.

708.04.03 Bermudagrass Sod Establishment, including grade repair, preparing soil, applying

soil amendments and initial fertilizer in conformance with the Nutrient Management Plan, sod, fasteners, watering, resetting sod, sod replacement, and mowing will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard.

708.04.04 Refertilizing will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard.

708.04.05 Temporary Mulch will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price.