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How to Specify

Use the following sodding and stolonizing specifications as a guide when preparing project plans and specifications to help ensure high-quality natural grass, proper installation and successful establishment.

These specifications may be adapted to meet project-specific requirements, including grass variety, climate, soil conditions, intended use and installation method.

For assistance selecting a variety or developing specifications for a specific project, contact West Coast Turf at 888/893-8873 or mrwisegrass@westcoastturf.com. 

PART 1 – GENERAL

1.00 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Sodding and stolonizing shall be performed during seasons and under weather conditions suitable for successful establishment of the specified turfgrass variety, unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Architect.
2. All turfgrass shall be installed in accordance with the project plans, specifications and applicable recommendations for the selected variety.
3. Prior to installation, verify that soil preparation, grading and irrigation have been completed and that conditions are suitable for installation and establishment.

PART 2 – PRODUCTS

2.00 SOIL AMENDMENTS AND FERTILIZER

1. Soil amendments and fertilizer shall be selected and applied as recommended by an approved soils report and according to site-specific soil conditions.
2. Composted organic amendments, when specified, shall be of horticultural grade, well decomposed and free of weeds, weed seed and other deleterious materials.
3. Sand, when specified, shall be clean and free of clay, weeds, weed seed, rocks and other deleterious materials.
4. Gypsum, when specified, shall be agricultural grade.
5. Fertilizer shall be a commercially prepared granular or pelleted product with an N-P-K analysis and micronutrients appropriate for the specified turfgrass and soil conditions, as recommended by an approved soils report.
6. Lime or other soil amendments, when required, shall be applied according to recommendations of an approved soils report.

2.01 SOD

1. Sod shall consist of live, healthy, mature ______________________________ turfgrass obtained from West Coast Turf.
2. Sod shall be sufficiently mature and well rooted to permit handling and installation without tearing or breaking apart.
3. Sod shall be uniform in appearance and texture and appropriate in color for the specified variety and season.
4. Sod shall be free of disease, harmful insects, objectionable weeds, undesirable grasses and other materials detrimental to its growth or establishment.
5. Sod shall be harvested, transported and delivered in a manner that protects the turfgrass from excessive drying, heat and deterioration.
6. Sod shall be installed promptly after delivery to the project site.

2.02 STOLONS

1. Stolons shall be supplied by West Coast Turf and shall be ______________________________.
2. Stolons shall be healthy, viable and free of objectionable weeds, disease and harmful insect infestations.
3. Stolons shall be harvested, transported and handled in a manner that protects them from drying, excessive heat and deterioration prior to installation.
4. Application rate shall be as specified on the project plans or as recommended for the selected turfgrass variety and required establishment schedule.

PART 3 – EXECUTION

3.00 SOIL PREPARATION

1. Prior to installation, remove rocks, construction debris, weeds, unwanted vegetation and other materials that may interfere with turfgrass establishment.
2. Prepare the soil to provide a uniform, well-drained planting surface. Correct drainage problems and establish grades to direct water appropriately and away from structures.
3. Till or cultivate compacted soil to a depth appropriate for site conditions, generally 4 to 6 inches.
4. Incorporate soil amendments and fertilizer as recommended by an approved soils report. In the Desert Southwest and other site-specific conditions, amendment depth and quantity shall be adjusted as appropriate for the soil profile and specified turfgrass.
5. Rake and finish-grade the soil, removing rocks, roots, large clods and debris. The finished soil surface shall be smooth, firm and properly graded to accommodate the thickness of the sod and achieve the specified finish grade.
6. Lightly roll or firm the prepared soil as necessary to eliminate excessively loose areas while maintaining suitable soil structure.
7. Irrigate the prepared soil prior to installation as necessary to provide a uniformly moist planting base without creating muddy or saturated conditions.

3.01 SODDING

1. Prior to installation, the irrigation system shall be tested and fully operational. Verify complete and uniform irrigation coverage of all areas to receive sod.
2. Schedule delivery so sod can be installed promptly upon arrival at the project site.
3. Protect sod from drying, excessive heat and direct sun prior to installation. During hot weather, keep uninstalled sod shaded and appropriately moist.
4. Do not install sod that has become excessively dry, overheated, damaged or otherwise unsuitable for successful establishment.
5. Begin installation along a straight edge whenever practical. Lay sod tightly against adjacent pieces without stretching, overlapping or leaving gaps.
6. Stagger joints between rows in a brick-like pattern. Trim sod neatly around curves, irrigation components, structures and other obstacles.
7. Avoid small or narrow pieces of sod along perimeter edges whenever possible.
8. On slopes, install sod perpendicular to the direction of the slope. Where necessary, secure sod with biodegradable or other approved stakes to prevent movement until rooting occurs.
9. Minimize walking, kneeling and equipment traffic on newly installed sod.
10. Irrigate installed areas as work progresses to prevent drying. Do not wait until the entire project area has been installed before beginning irrigation.
11. After installation, roll the sod as necessary to provide uniform turf-to-soil contact and eliminate air pockets without causing soil compaction.
12. Begin establishment irrigation immediately following installation. Initial irrigation shall thoroughly moisten the sod and underlying soil.
13. Maintain adequate and consistent soil moisture during the establishment period. Adjust irrigation frequency and duration according to turfgrass variety, weather, soil conditions and site requirements.
14. Repair or replace displaced, damaged, dried or unsuccessfully established sod as required to provide a complete and uniform finished surface.

3.02 STOLONIZING

1. Prior to installation, the irrigation system shall be tested and fully operational.
2. Stolons shall be installed promptly after delivery and protected from drying, excessive heat and direct sun prior to installation.
3. Stolons shall be distributed uniformly using a mechanical stolon planter or other approved method appropriate for the project and specified turfgrass variety.
4. Apply stolons at the rate specified on the project plans or as recommended for the selected variety and desired establishment schedule.
5. Thoroughly irrigate the planted area immediately following stolon application.
6. Maintain consistent soil moisture during the establishment period. Irrigation frequency shall be adjusted as necessary based on weather, soil conditions, turfgrass variety and site conditions.
7. Protect newly stolonized areas from pedestrian, vehicle and equipment traffic during establishment.
8. Reapply stolons to thin, bare or unsuccessfully established areas as necessary to achieve complete and uniform turfgrass coverage.

SPECIFICATION ASSISTANCE

West Coast Turf can assist architects, landscape architects, designers, contractors and other specifiers with turfgrass selection and project-specific specification requirements. Call 888/893-8873.