809SODDING

809.1DESCRIPTION —This work is furnishing, placing, and maintaining cultivated sod on designated

areas.

809.2MATERIAL—

to Turfgrass Sodding, and as follows:

• Certified sod cultivated of two or more approved Kentucky bluegrass varieties.

• Containing not more than 10% of other fine turf grass species.

• Entirely free from weeds, as defined in the Pennsylvania Seed Act of 1965 and amendments.

• Free from harmful insects, disease, and nematodes.

• Cultured in mineral soil.

• Certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture or the Department of Agriculture of the state from which sod is obtained.

• Rectangular machine sections 12 inches to 24 inches wide, 2 feet to 6 feet long, with a uniform soil thickness of approximately 3/4 inch excluding top growth and thatch. Broken sections or sections having torn, or uneven ends will not be accepted.

• Grass height, maximum 1 1/2 inches.

• Well-moistened condition.

• Relatively free of thatch (up to 1/2 inch uncompressed thickness acceptable).

Net sod may be used after submitting a sample to obtain acceptance.

809.3CONSTRUCTION—

Keep sod moist.

802.3Provide a sod bed graded so that, after placing, the top of the sod is flush with the surrounding finished

grade. Apply soil supplements, as specified in Section 804.3(c), to areas to be sodded. Moisten soil before placing sod.

place sod if the temperature is lower than 32F. Do not place frozen sod. Carefully place sod by hand, with tight joints, no overlap, and in straight lines with rows placed parallel to and tight against each other. Break or stagger transverse joints. Do not use pitchforks or other tools that may damage the sod. Do not dump sod f rom vehicles. Immediately after placing, saturate sod with water to its full depth. After the initial watering, tamp the sod to close joints and ensure close contact between the sod and sod bed. Tamp to obtain a smooth, even sod surface, free from bumps and depressions. If directed, use a roller having a weight not more than 65 pounds per foot of width to complete firming and smoothing the sod. If placing sod in ditches, place the strip with the longer dimension perpendicular to the flow of water. At any point where water will start flowing over a sodded area, turn the upper edge of the sod strips into the soil, then place a layer of compacted ea rth over this juncture to conduct the water over the sod edge. On slopes, place sod with the long axis parallel to the contour, starting at the bottom of the slope. Stagger sod joints. In ditches and on slope areas (3:1 or greater), stake each strip of sod securely using at least one wood stake for each 2 square feet of sod. Use stakes 1/2 inch by 1 inch and with a length of 8 inches to 8 inches to 12 inches. Drive stakes flush with the top of the sod, with the wide face parallel to the slope contour.

repeated watering, mowing, and repairs or replacement of sod in areas that fail to show a uniform growth of grass, or that are damaged in any way. Do not mow sodded areas until sod is firmly rooted and secured in place. Maintain grass height at 1 1/2 inches unless otherwise directed.

809.4MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT—

The Department will measure and pay for subsequent watering, requested and required for grass survival, or as otherwise directed, by the 1,000 (M) gallons. The Department will mea sure and pay for subsequent directed mowing by the acre.