731 Page 487731 FERTILIZING
731.1DESCRIPTION
This work consists of furnishing and applying fertilizer material on areas to be seeded or sodded.
731.2MATERIALS
A.Requirements : Fertilizer will be a dry standard commercial product conforming to the South Dakota Fertilizer Law and subsequent amendments or revisions. Each brand and grade of fertilizer must be registered with the State Department of Agriculture. Each bag or container will clearly show the net weight of the contents, the name and address of the manufacturer, the brand and grade, the guaranteed analysis of the contents showing the minimum percentages of total nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and water-soluble potash available, in that order. B.Condition: Fertilizer will be in a condition which permits proper distribution. C.Testing: Testing of fertilizer will not be required. Before fertilizer is approved for use, the Contractor will submit a certified statement from the manufacturer stating that the fertilizer is registered for sale in South Dakota and complies with the South Dakota Fertilizer Law. The certified statement will include the name of the Contractor, the project number, the county, and all information that appears on the containers, as listed in Section 731.2 A.
731.3CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
A.Application: Fertilizer will be applied not more than 48 hours prior to seeding. Fertilizer will be applied by one of the following methods: 1.With a fertilizer attachment on the drill, which will place the fertilizer in a band on or near the drill row behind the openers during the drilling operations (preferred method). 2.By drilling in with an approved drill prior to seeding. 3.By spreading the fertilizer uniformly over the areas to be seeded prior to or during seedbed preparation (before final pass). This method will not be acceptable when seedbed preparation is not required. 4.Where the seed is sown by a hydraulic seeder, the required amount of fertilizer may be placed in the tank, mixed with the water and the seed, and applied in the seeding operation. 5.By hand operated broadcaster following sod installation. 6.By equipment mounted broadcast spreaders on slopes flatter than 6:1. B.Cleanup: The Contractor will sweep all fertilizer misplaced on adjacent pavement onto the seedbed. The Contractor will remove and dispose of all logs, stumps, brush and other foreign material exposed during fertilizer application including rocks larger than 3/4 inch in areas to 731 Page 488be seeded with turf grass mixtures and rocks and clods having a vertical projection of 3 inches or more above the soil surface in all other areas. C.Re-fertilizing: Before the Acceptance of Field Work is made by the Area Office, any area on which the original fertilizer has been lost or displaced will be re-fertilized.
731.4METHOD OF MEASUREMENT
Fertilizing will be measured to the nearest 0.01 ton or as specified in the plans. Re-fertilizing of areas damaged by causes beyond the control of the Contractor will be measured and added to the original quantity used.
731.5BASIS OF PAYMENT
Fertilizing will be paid for at the contract unit price per ton or as specified in the plans. Payment will be full compensation for furnishing, hauling, placing, labor, equipment, materials, tools, and incidentals necessary. 732 Page 489732 MULCHING
732.1DESCRIPTION
This work consists of placing a mulch cover on slopes or other designated areas following seeding and fertilizing operations.
732.2MATERIALS
A.Grass Hay or Straw Mulch: Grass hay or straw mulching material will be free of noxious weed seeds and objectionable foreign matter. The mulch will have been baled dry, in bales of approximately equal weight and will be relatively dry when applied. Materials with noxious weed contamination or materials with characteristics unsuitable for the purpose intended will be rejected and the Contractor will remove the contaminated material from the project. Bromegrass is not an acceptable mulch. B.Fiber Mulch: Fiber mulch will contain no germination or growth inhibiting factors and will have the property of becoming evenly dispersed and suspended when agitated in water. Fiber mulch that is blended with recycled paper is not allowed. When sprayed uniformly with hydraulic seeding equipment on the surface of the soil, the fibers will form a blotter like ground cover, which will readily absorb water and allow infiltration to the underlying soil without restricting emergence of seedlings. Weight specification from suppliers, and for all applications, will refer only to air dry weight of the fiber, considered to be 10% moisture. The fiber mulch material will be supplied in packages marked by the manufacturer to show the air dry weight content. Suppliers will certify that laboratory and field testing of their product has been accomplished, and that it meets all of the foregoing requirements. C.Bonded Fiber Matrix: Bonded fiber matrix will consist of a continuous layer of elongated fiber strands held together by a water resistant bonding agent. The bonded fiber matrix will be uniformly applied and will have no gaps between the product and the seeded soil. The product will be 100% biodegradable and composed of 90% wood fiber, 9% natural binder, and 1% organic and mineral activators (all by weight). The treatment will be installed with hydraulic seeding equipment. D.Fiber Reinforced Matrix: Fiber reinforced matrix will consist of thermally processed fiber, crimped interlocking fibers, cross-linked hydrocolloidal polymer tackifiers, and activators. Fiber reinforced matrix will form an intimate bond with the soil surface. The fiber reinforced matrix will form a continuous, flexible, and lofty interlocking matrix that creates air spaces and water absorbing cavities to improve seed germination, reduce the impact of raindrop energy, and minimize soil loss. The treatment will be installed with hydraulic seeding equipment.
732.3CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
During mulching operations, suitable warning signs will be provided in accordance with Section 5.14.