ITEM 609 – SPRIGGING

609.1 Description

This Item shall consist of planting sprigs of living grass plants in accordance with this Specification at locations shown on the Plans or as required by the Engineer.

609.2 Material Requirements

609.2.1 Sprigs

Sprigs shall be healthy living stems (stolons or rhizomes) with attached roots or perennial turf-forming grasses of the kinds shown on the Plans, harvested without adhering soil and obtained from approved sources in the locality of the work where the sod is heavy and thickly matted. The presence of objectionable grasses, weeds or other detrimental material will be a cause for rejection.

609.2.2 Fertilizers

Fertilizers shall be standard commercial fertilizers supplied separately or in mixture containing the percentages of total nitrogen, available phosphoric acid and water-soluble potash. They shall be furnished in standard containers with name, weight and guaranteed analysis of contents clearly marked. The fertilizers may be supplied in the following form:

1. A dry, free-flowing fertilizer soluble in water, suitable for application by a common fertilizer spreader.
2. A finely ground fertilizer, soluble in water suitable for application by power sprayer.
3. A granular or pellet form suitable for application by blower equipment.

609.2.3 Ground Limestone

Ground limestone shall contain not less than 85 percent of calcium and magnesium carbonates and shall be of such fineness that 100 percent shall pass through a 2.00 mm sieve and not less than 35 percent through a 0.150 mm sieve. Granulated slag may be substituted in lieu of ground limestone subject to the approval of the Engineer of an adjusted application rate that will provide the equivalent total neutralizing power of the specified limestone.

609.2.4 Topsoil

Topsoil shall perform to the requirements of Item 608, Topsoil.

609.2.5 Mulch Material

Mulch material shall be hay, straw or other local non-toxic material.

609.3 Construction Requirements

609.3.1 Harvesting Sprigs

The Contractor shall notify the Engineer at least 5 days before sprigs are to be harvested and the source shall be approved by the Engineer before harvesting begins.

To begin harvesting, grass and woods shall be mowed to a height of 50 to 75mm and all clippings removed. Sprigs shall then be loosened by cross-disking, shallow plowing or other acceptable methods. After loosening the sprigs from the soil, they shall be gathered in small piles or windrows, watered and kept moist until planted.

Not more than 24 hours shall elapse between harvesting and planting sprigs, except that when weather or other uncontrollable condition interrupts the work, a time extension may be granted, provided the sprigs are still moist and viable. Sprigs that have heated in stockpiles, permitted to dry out or otherwise seriously damaged during harvesting or delivery shall be rejected and be disposed off as directed.

609.3.2 Advance Preparation and Cleanup

After grading of areas has been completed and before applying fertilizer and ground limestone, areas to be sprigged shall be raked or otherwise cleared of stone larger than 50 mm in diameter, sticks, stumps and other debris which might interfere with sprigging, growth of grasses or subsequent maintenance of grass-covered areas. If any damage by erosion or other causes has occurred after grading of areas and before beginning the application of fertilizer and ground limestone, the Contractor shall repair such damage. This may include filling gullies, smoothing irregularities and repairing other incidental damage.

609.3.3 Topsoiling

If topsoiling is shown on the Plans, it shall be done in accordance with the requirements of Item 608, Topsoil.

609.3.4 Applying Fertilizer and Ground Limestone

Following advance preparation and cleanup, fertilizer shall be uniformly spread at the rate indicated on the Plans. If use of ground limestone is required, it shall be spread at the rate shown on the Plans. These materials shall be incorporated into the soil to a depth of not less than 50 mm by disking, raking or other methods acceptable to the Engineer. Stones larger than 50 mm in diameter, large clods, roots and other litter brought to the surface by this operation shall be removed.

On steep slopes where fertilizer and ground limestone cannot be incorporated effectively by mechanical equipment, they may be applied with power sprayers, blower equipment or other approved method and need not be incorporated into the soil.

609.3.5 Planting Sprigs

Sprigging shall not be done during windy weather or when the ground is dry, excessively wet or otherwise untillable. Sprigs shall be planted in existing ground or in formed embankments or on topsoil as shown on the Plans. If the soil is not moist when the sprigs are being set, water shall be applied until the soil is moist and in a workable condition. One or more of the following methods shall be used, whichever is directed by the Engineer:

1. Broadcast Sprigging – Sprigs shall be broadcast by hand or by suitable equipment in a uniform layer over the prepared surface with spacing between sprigs not to exceed 150 mm. The sprigs shall then be forced into the soil to a depth of 50 mm to 100 mm with a straight spade or similar tool, or with a disk harrow or other equipment set to cover the sprigs to the required depth.
2. Row Sprigging – Furrows shall be opened along the approximate contour of slopes at the spacing and depth indicated on the Plans. Sprigs shall be placed without delay in continuous row in the open furrow with successive sprigs touching and shall be covered immediately.
3. Spot Sprigging – Spot sprigging shall be performed as specified under row sprigging, except that, instead of planting in continuous rows, groups of four sprigs or more shall be spaced 450 mm apart in the rows.

609.3.6 Mulching and Compacting

After planting or sprigs has been completed and prior to compacting, the surface shall be cleared of stones larger than 50 mm in diameter, large clods, roots and other litter brought to the surface during sprigging.

If mulching of sprigged areas is shown on the Plans, the sprigged area shall be covered with mulch in accordance with the requirements of Subsection 609.2.5, Mulch Material, within 24 hours from the time sprigging has been completed, weather and soil conditions permitting.

If mulching is not shown on the Plans, the sprigged area shall be compacted within 24 hours from the time sprigging has been completed, weather and soil conditions permitting, by cultipackers, rollers or other satisfactory equipment operated at right angles to the slopes. Compaction shall not be done when the soil is in such condition that it is picked up by the equipment, nor shall clay soils be compacted if so directed by the Engineer.

609.3.7 Maintenance of Sprigged Areas

The Contractor shall protect sprigged areas against traffic by warning signs or barricades approved by the Engineer. Surfaces gullied or otherwise damaged following sprigging shall be repaired by regrading and resprigging as directed. The Contractor shall mow, water as directed and otherwise maintain sprigged areas in a satisfactory condition until final inspection and acceptance of the work.

609.4 Method of Measurement

The quantity of sprigging to be paid for shall be the number of units of 100square meters, measured on the ground surface, completed and accepted.

609.5 Basis of Payment

The quantity, determined as provided in Subsection 609.4, Method of Measurement, shall be paid for the Pay Item listed below, which price and payment shall be full compensation for furnishing and placing all materials, for any required mulching of sprigged areas and for all labor, equipment, tools and incidentals necessary to complete the work prescribed in this Section except topsoiling which shall be paid for as provided in Item 608, Topsoil.

Pay Item will be made under:

Pay item No.	Description	Unit of Measurement
609	Sprigging	100 Square Meter