166 SECTION 252
252.01 Description
This work consists of placing sod in designated areas.
252.02 Equipment
Reserved.
252.03 Materials
A.General. Provide sod with the following characteristics: − Dense and well -rooted; − Desirable grass, such as a variety of Kentucky Blue Grass; − Adapted to the general locality; − Free from weeds; − Grass shorter than 2 inches; and − Uniform thickness.
B.Sampling, Testing, and Certification. Submit a Certificate of Compliance from an independent testing laboratory with each shipment of sod to the project. In addition to the requirements specified in Section 106.01 C, “Certificate of Compliance” include the following: − Date; − Location and size of sod field; − Type of grass contained in the sod; − Statement that the soil, upon which the sod was grown, contains less than 20 percent organic m aterial as determined by AASHTO T 267; − Sampling and testing dates; − Statement that the testing laboratory tested 2 samples per 2.5 acres or fraction thereof, taken at least 50 feet apart in the sod field; − Statement that each sod field location has been tested and certified within the last 5 years; − Statement that the sod was grown in the sod field tested; and − Name of independent testing laboratory.
252.04 Construction Requirements
A.Sod Bed Preparation. Cultivate or disk topsoil to a depth of approximately 3 inches. Remove stones and deleterious material larger than 1 inch in diameter. Roll the surface of the sodbed to a smooth and uniform consistency.
B.Placement. Keep sod rolls moist and protected from the sun and wind by tarpaulins or shade cloth. Do not install sod that has dried, has a soil layer that breaks, tears and or crumbles. 167 Place sod: − In strips transverse to the predominate flow of water beginning at the bottom of the slope and work upward; − With staggered joints at the end of strips; and − With outside edges turned into the earth bed and a layer of earth placed over edge. Clear surface of loose sod, excess soil, or other deleterious material after placement is complete.
C.Anchors. Use six inch or longer stakes or staples. Anchor the sod on slopes that are 4:1 or steeper. Space the anchors 18 to 36 inches apart along the longitudinal axis of the sod strip. Drive anchors to within one inch above the sod surface.
D.Maintenance. Keep the sodded area moist a minimum of 3 inches deep for a minimum of 4 weeks after placement and until the acceptance requirements are met. The maintenance period for sod placed after September 15 will not begin until April 15 of the following year.
E.Acceptance. The Engineer will accept sod after the maintenance period that is live, growing, well rooted and the sod cannot be separated or lifted from the soil.
252.05 Method of Measurement
The Engineer will measure, completed and in place, as specified in Section 109.01, “Measurement of Quantities”.
252.06 Basis of Payment
Pay Item Pay Unit Sod Square Yard Such payment is full compensation for furnishing all materials, equipment, labor, and incidentals to complete the work as specified. Section 253 168 SECTION 253 MULCHING
253.01 Description
This work consists of grass hay or straw mulching, and hydraulic mulching.
253.02 Equipment
A.Hydraulic Mulch. When applying hydraulic mulch and seed together use hydraulic spraying equipment that mixes the seed and mulch in water.
B.Straw Mulch. Use equipment that uniformly distributes the mulch over the seedbed. Use a puncher that consists of a series of dull, flat disks: − With notched or cutout edges; − Approximately 20 inches in diameter; − 0.25 inches thi ck; − Spaced approximately 8 inches apart; and − Fitted with scrapers.
253.03 Materials
A.Seed. Use the seed classification shown in the bid item that meets the requirements of Section
251.03 D, “Seed Class” .
B.Hydraulic Mulch. Use hydraulic mulch free of germination or growth inhibiting factors. Provide hydraulic mulch free of recycled paper and toxins. Provide hydraulic mulch with fibers that are capable of absorbing water and allowing infiltration to the underlying soil without restricting emergence of seedlings.
C.Straw Mulch. Use mulch material consisting of straw from cereal grain or native hay. The mulch shall be free of seed bearing stalks of noxious weeds as defined by the North Da kota Department of Agriculture. The Engineer will not accept mulch that: − Is wet, musty, moldy, or rotted; − Is chopped or ground; or − Contains deleterious material.
D.Tackifier. Use a tackifier consisting of one of the following:
1.Water soluble natural proteins, vegetable gums, or guar gums blended with gelling and hardening agents. Guar gum based tackifier shall consist of a minimum of 95
Source: North Dakota Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2022 Edition. Pages 201–202 of 550.