Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod SEED, TURF SEED, AND TURF SOD
Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Seed, turf seed, and turf sod requirements and application.
B.Surface preparation.
1.2 RELATED SECTIONS Not Used
1.3 References
A.Utah Fertilizer Act, Utah Code, Title 4, Chapter 13
B.Utah Seed Act , Utah Code, Title 4, Chapter 16
1.4 DEFINITIONS Not Used
1.5 Submittals
A.Manufacturer’s directions on drill calibration seven calendar days before seeding, for information. Refer to this Section, Article 3.3.
B.Seed substitution request, for review , if required. Refer to this Section, Article 2.1
C.Quantity of seed required, for review. Include at least the following:
1.Description of the measuring technique of the area to receive seed.
2.Calculated area to receive drill seed, broadcast seed, turf seed, or turf sod.
3.Calculation of total quantity of seed, turf seed or turf sod to be purchased.
D.The following documentation from seed suppli er, for information:
1.Letter of Certification documenting the purchase and mixing of project seed schedule, including any authorized seed substitutions. Include at least the following:
a.Common name of each seed.
b.Lot number of each seed
c.Purity percent of each seed Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
d.Germination percent of each seed
e.Dormant or h ard seed percent of each seed
f.Bulk lb and percent of each seed .
g.Pure Live Seed (PLS) lb of each seed.
h.Total combined bulk lb of project seed schedule.
i.Total combined PLS lb of project seed schedule.
j.Total number of bags and bulk lb per bag delivered.
2.Certified Copy of S eed Analysis for each seed, including any authorized seed substitutions . Include at least the following on seed certification reports and labels:
a.Botanical name and common name, includ ing variety .
b.Name of seed testing laboratory
c.Origin and Lot number
d.Purity percent
e.Inert matter percent
f.Other crop percent
g.Weed seed percent
h.Noxious Weed percent
i.Germination percent
j.Dormant or hard seed percent
k.Total Viability percent
l.PLS percent
m.Last seed germination test d ate (month and year)
E.Certification that turf sod is nursery grown and contains grass species shown, for review .
F.Documentation indicating the date and time turf sod was cut at the nursery , for information.
G.Fertilizer labels, for information.
1.6 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
A.Notify Engineer seven calendar days before purchasing and mixing project seed schedule shown or as modified by authorized seed substitution request .
B.Deliver seed or turf seed to project in original seed suppli er bags showing analysis of seed mixture, net weight, and date and location of packaging.
C.Cut turf sod from nursery no more than 24 hours before installing . Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
D.Deliver fertilizer in original manufacturer packaging bearing labels including brand name, weight and guaranteed analysis .
1.Store in a weatherproof location.
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Seed and Turf Seed
A.Must conform to Utah Seed Act.
B.Obtain seed from lots that have been tested by a state certified seed testing laboratory such as Association of Seed Analyst (AOSA) or Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST).
1.Seed germination test older than 18 months for grass seed and older than 12 months for shrub or tree seed are not acceptable.
C.Do not use wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged seed.
D.Seed Substitutions .
1.Coordinate with the seed supplier and s ubmit recommended substitution alternative s and revised project seed schedule to the Engineer if seed substitutions to project seed schedule are required.
2.2 Turf Sod
A.Healthy and well -rooted nursery grown turf sod comprised of grass species shown and free of weeds.
B.Machine cut in straight, uniform strips or rolls, cut at a depth between ¾ inch and 1 inch.
2.3 Fertilizer for Turf Seed Or Turf S Od
A.Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) fertilizer:
1.Must conform to Utah Fertilizer Act, be u niform in composi tion, granular, dry, and free flowing.
2.Apply at the rates indicated on the label . Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 Preparation
A.Measure the area to receive seed, turf seed, or turf sod before ordering from the supplier.
B.Coordinate with Engineer within 14 calendar days before installation seed, turf seed or turf sod begins to verify that the following suitable topsoil surface conditions are met :
1.Lightly compacted to a firm surface with a friable or crumbly soil texture.
a.Re-work any topsoil surface that is over- compacted, h ard, or crusted topsoil surface must be reworked such as cat - tracking, discing, or harrowing the topsoil surface.
2.Free from noxious weeds and other undesirable plants that have germinated and are actively growing.
a.Remove plants growing in topsoil by hand or mechanical methods, or by appropriate chemical herbicide application.
3.Free from soil erosion.
a.Regrade and repair any surface, rill, or gulley erosion.
C.Turf Seed Preparation.
1.Coordinate with Engineer to establish an appropriate irrigation operating schedule.
2.Apply NPK fertilizer at the rates indicated on the label and mix thoroughly into upper 1 inch of topsoil.
a.Do not apply fertilizer and seed at the same time in the same machine.
D.Turf Sod Preparation.
1.Coordinate with Engineer to establish an appropriate irrigation operating schedule.
2.Apply NPK fertilizer at the rates indicated on the label and mix thoroughly into upper 1 inch of topsoil.
3.2 Seed – General
A.Notify the Engineer seven calendar days before seeding.
B.Apply seed at the rate shown.
1.D rill seed and broadcast seed are applied at different rates. Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
C.Install drill seed and broadcast seed within the seeding window assigned to ground elevation specified in Table 1.
1.Do not begin seeding activities if topsoil is covered in snow, frozen or saturated.
2.Postpone seeding until the following year if the seeding is not completed within the given window.
3.A late winter exception to the seeding window may be obtained from the Engineer if suitable weather and soil conditions exist. Table 1 Seeding Window Elevation Date Below 4,000 ft October 15 to December 31 4,000 to 6,000 ft September 15 to November 30 Above 6,000 ft September 1 to November 15
D.Install rolled and hydraulic erosion control products within 24 hours after seed or turf seed application.
3.3 Drill Seed Method
A.Use drill seed on slopes 3:1 and flatter.
B.Use a minimum -till drill, no-till drill, rangeland drill seeder or equivalent drill seeding equipment designed to plant a variety of seed types into rugged soils with minimal soil disturbance and equipped with the following:
1.Depth band
2.Seed box agitator
3.Seed metering device
4.Furrow opener
5.Seed- to-soil packing devices such as p acker wheels , imprinters or drag chains
C.Follow the drill manufacturer’s directions in the presence of the Engineer .
1.Calibrate the drill to apply seed at the rate shown .
D.Space drill rows a maximum of 8 inch apart . Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
E.Set depth bands to drill seeds to a ½ inch depth.
F.Drill parallel to the contour s.
G.Maintain the drill at the calibrated setting throughout the seeding operation.
H.Allow the furrows that are created by the drill to remain.
3.4 Broadcast Seed Method
A.Use the broadcast method of seeding under the following conditions:
1.Slopes steeper than 3:1.
2.Slopes 3:1 and flatter where the area to be seeded is inaccessible to drill.
3.The area to be seeded is not large enough to justify using a drill.
4.Rocky surface conditions.
5.Other areas allowed by Engineer.
B.Do not mix seed as part of a Hydraulic Erosion Control Product (HECP) application.
C.Broadcast the seed onto the topsoil using either of the following:
1.Mechanical, c yclone or hand seeder.
2.Hydraulic h ydroseed er machine which is capable of continuous agitation and application of the seed , water , and up to 3 00 lb of a cellulose fiber mulch (allowed only as application tracer) slurry mixture per acre .
D.Incorporate the seed into the topsoil using either of the following:
1.Cat-track seeded area with tracked equipment perpendicular to the contours to create continuous cleat tracks that run parallel with the contours .
2.Drag or r ake the seed into the topsoil to a depth between ¼ to ½ inch.
E.Coordinate with Engineer to be on site and observe the first 100 yd 2 of broadcast seed.
F.Do not broadcast seed during windy weather.
3.5 Turf Seed Placement
A.Apply turf seed after seedbed preparation. Refer to this Section, A rticle 3.1. Seed, Turf Seed, And Turf Sod
B.Verify good seed to soil contact by either lightly dragging, raking or r olling seeded areas using a minimum 24 inch wide turf roller half filled with water .
C.Lightly water and program the irrigation system to maintain a moist seedbed.
D.Rope off newly seeded areas along walkways using bright plastic ribbon tape attached to stakes placed frequently enough to delineate the newly seeded area.
3.6 Turf Sod Placement
A.Place turf sod with all edges and joints tightly butted.
1.Do not stretch or overlap turf sod.
2.Keep length seams in a straight line.
3.Lay turf sod with staggered joints .
4.Trim off excess material along the edges.
B.Roll turf sod immediately after placing using a minimum 24 inch wide turf roller half filled with water.
1.Re-roll if high spots remain .
2.Lift turf sod and place sufficient topsoil to fill any depressions that remain.
3.Thoroughly water with a fine spray to a depth sufficient that the underside of the new turf sod and soil immediately below the turf sod are thoroughly wet.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 849–855 of 1,331.