232.03 Seeding
232.01 Description
This work consists of preparing seedbeds, providing and planting seeds, and seeding for temporary and permanent erosion control.
232.02 Materials
Provide materials in accordance with the following subsections: Material: Subsection: Seed 735.03 Water 735.08
232.03 Equipment
A.Hydraulic Seeder Use a factory -designed hydraulic seeder. Ensure the tank holds at least 1,000 gal [3.8 kL], and include a mechanical agitation system with an operating capacity that can suspend and homogeneously mix the seed and water. The distribution hoses must be large enough to prevent clogging and include spray nozzles that provide uniform distribution. Mount the equipment on a traveling unit capable of distributing the seed without operating on the area requiring seed.
B.Grass Seed Drill Use an approved native grass seed drill equipped with two or more planter boxes and two planting mechanisms that will simultaneously plant large chaffy seed and fine clean seed. Ensure the drill has the following characteristics: A mechanism for accurately adjusting the rate of seed flow; Double -disk op eners for opening furrows on maximum 8 in [200 mm] centers; Disk, each with a depth -regulating band 1 in [25 mm] from the disk edge; and Furrow openers, each with heavy press wheels to compact the soil behind the opener and leave the seed covered to a depth of from ¼” to approximately twice the diameter of the seed being planted.
C.Corrugated Roller Seeder Use a corrugated roller seeder equipped with two planter boxes and two planting mechanisms that will simultaneously plant large chaffy seed and fi ne clean seed. Ensure the roller wheels are corrugated, mounted on tandem axles, spaced on 2 in [50 mm] centers, and capable of placing the seed from ¼ in to ½ in [6 mm to 12 mm] deep. The seeder shall also include a mechanism for adjusting SEEDING 232.04 the rate of s eed flow, and weigh from 125 lb to 250 lb per foot [186 kg to 372 kg per meter] of rolling width.
232.04 Construction Methods
A.Seedbed Preparation Prepare the area by performing the following: Mowing existing vegetation in accordance with Section 241, “Mowing” ; Filling and reshaping eroded areas; Cleaning ditches; and Refinishing slopes and medians to the typical grading section. Till the top 4 in [100 mm] of soil along the soil contours. Disk the soil to incorporate thick laye rs of previously applied mulch or existing vegetation. Harrow and roll the soil to crush and pack dirt clods larger than 1 in [25 mm]. Apply water where necessary. Leave or make the seedbed surface rough before seeding when the plans specify hydraulic se eding .
B.Seed Planting Methods Plant the seed uniformly at the specified rate. When several species of seed cannot be combined due to different characteristics —size, weight, hulled, or unhulled —plant the seed separately.
1.Seeding Method A - Hydraulic Seeder Distribute the seed with a hydraulic seeder in accordance with Subsection 232.03.A, “Hydraulic Seeder.” Load no more than enough seed for 2 acre [0.80 ha] of coverage into the 1,000 gal [3.8 kL] spray tank of a hydraulic seeder, and mix with water. If using less than 1,000 gal [3.8 kL] of water, reduce the following in proportion to the water: The amount of seed, Other specified materials (inoculants, fertilizer, etc.), and The seeding area per load. Place ino culants in the spray tank with the seed if required by the contract. Power -spray to uniformly distribute the seed. If distributing seed and fertilizer as a water slurry, apply the mixture to the area to be seeded within 30 min of mixing the components.
2.Seeding Method B - Grass Seed Drill Plant the seed with a grass seed drill in accordance with Subsection 232.03.B, “Grass Seed Drill.” Perform grass seed drilling on the approximate soil contours.
3.Seeding Method C - Corrugated Roller Seeder Distribute the seed with a corrugated roller seeder in accordance with Subsection 232.03.C, “Corrugated Roller Seeder. ” On slopes, plant along the soil contours.
232.06 Seeding
4.Hand Broadcasting Me thod Use hand -broadcasting in areas that are small or inaccessible to equipment.
C.Planting Season and Weather Restrictions Perform seeding as erosion control in accordance with Subsection 230.04.E, “Planting Seasons and Weather Restrictions.”
D.Soil Moisture and Watering Requirements Ensure the soil is moist d uring seed application, from 1 in [25 mm] to at least 5 in [125 mm] below the surface. Estimate the required moisture content of the soil using the hand -squee ze test. The soil should form a tight cast when squeezed. The cast should break into two pieces without crumbling or leaving excess water on the hand.
E.Fertilizer Application Apply fertilizer in accordance with Section 234, “ Fertilizing and Agricultural Liming.”
F.Repairs and Maintenance Repair and maintain seeded areas, at no additional cost to the Department, until the Resident Engineer approves all of the project or that part of the project including the seeded areas.
1.Repair Recover, replace, and compact soil removed by erosion. Fill and reshape eroded areas, clean ditches, and refinish slopes and medians to the typical grading section. Reseed, re -fertilize, and water the damaged areas during the “planting seasons” in dicated.
2.Maintenance Control weeds by mowing, hand -cutting, applying herbicides, or other methods approved by the Resident Engineer. Remove weed growth on seeded areas as directed by the Resident Engineer. If herbicides are necessary, use them in accordance with label instructions, and with the approval of the Resident Engineer. Mow in accordance with Section 241, “Mowing.”
232.05 Method of Measuremen T
The Resident Engineer will measure Seeding Method A , Seeding Method B , and Seeding Method C by the area seeded.
232.06 Basis of Payment
The Department will pay for each pay item at the contract unit price per the specified pay unit as follows: Pay Item: Pay Unit:
A.SEEDING METHOD A Acre [Hectare]
B.SEEDING METHOD B Acre [Hectare]
C.SEEDING METHOD C Acre [Hectare] MULCHING 233.03 The Department will pay for water used to water seeded areas in accordance with Section 230, “Sodding and Sprigging.” Include the cost of water used as a carrier in hydraulic seeding operations in the contract unit price for Seeding Method A . Include the cost of hand broadcasting seed in the contract unit price for the appropriate seeding pay items. The Department will pay for fertilizer in accordance with Section 234, “Fertilizing and Agricultural Liming,” and mowing in accordance with Section 241, “Mowing.” SECTION 233 MULCHING
233.01 Description
This work consists of providing, applying, and fastening mulching materials to the soil surfac e.
233.02 Materials
Provide materials in accordance with the following subsections: Material: Subsection: Vegetative Mulch 735.04 Excelsior Mat 735.04 Excelsior Mulch 735.04 Wood Cellulose Fiber 735.04 Mulch Fasteners 735.05
233.03 Equipment
Provide equipment in accordance with the following:
A.Equipment for Vegetative and Excelsior Mulch Use the following equipment methods to dist ribute vegetative and excelsior mulch:
1.Adhesive Spray Method Apply and fasten vegetative and excelsior mulch using a machine that includes a blower to distribute the vegetative material and a pump to distribute the liquid adhesive. Arrange the dischar ge pipe of the blower and the discharge nozzles of the liquid adhesive hoses so that the liquid adhesive is evenly distributed into the mulch as it emerges from the blower discharge spout. Ensure the hoses can distribute the liquid adhesive at the specifi ed rate. Ensure the machine can operate the liquid adhesive pump and the mulch blower, and distribute the liquid adhesive -bound mulch at the specified rate over the areas indicated with one pass of the machine. Do not allow the beater mechanism to shorte n the stem lengths of the vegetative material.
Source: Oklahoma Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2019 Edition. Pages 178–180 of 935.