minimum design & construction standards - Martin County, Florida

1. Scope
SECTION XII - SODDING
The work covered under this section shall consist of furnishing all labor, materials, and
equipment necessary for the sodding of the areas indicated on the plans. The work consists
of placing of grass sod, and fertilizing, watering and maintaining the sodded areas such as
to assure a healthy stand of grass.
2. Type of Sod
Unless a particular type of sod is called for, sod shall be Argentine Bahia grass. It shall be
well matted with roots. Where sodding will adjoin, or be in sufficiently close proximity to
private lawns, other types of sod may be used if desired by the affected property owners
and approved by the Department. The sod shall be taken up in commercial-size rectangles,
preferably 12 inch by 24 inch or larger, except where 6 inch strip sodding is specified.
The sod shall be sufficiently thick to secure a dense strand of live grass. The sod shall be
live, fresh and uninjured, at the time of planting. It shall have a soil mat of sufficient
thickness adhering firmly to the roots to withstand all necessary handling. It shall be
reasonably free of weeds and other grasses. It shall be planted as soon as possible after
being dug and shall be shaded and kept moist from the time it is dug until it is planted. The
source of the sod may be inspected and approved by the Department prior to being cut for
use in the work. After approval, the area from which the sod is to be harvested shall be
closely mowed and raked as necessary to remove excessive top growth and debris.
Approved devices, such as sod cutters, shall be used for cutting the sod and due care shall
be exercised to retain the native root soil intact.
3. Type of Fertilizer
Commercial fertilizers shall comply with the State of Florida fertilizer laws. The numerical
designations for fertilizer indicate the minimum percentages (respectively) of (1) total
nitrogen, (2) available phosphoric acid, and (3) water-soluble potash, contained in the
fertilizer. The chemical designation of the fertilizer shall be 12-8-8. At least 50 percent of
the phosphoric acid shall be from normal super phosphate or an equivalent source which
will provide a minimum of two units of sulfur. The amount of sulfur shall be indicated on the
quantitative analysis card attached to each bag or container.
4. Water Source
The water used in the grassing operations may be obtained from any approved spring,
pond, lake, stream, or municipal water system. Water from a municipal system shall be
paid for by the Developer or Contractor. The water shall be free of excess and harmful
chemicals, acids, alkalis, or any substance that might be harmful to plant growth or
obnoxious to traffic. Saltwater shall not be used.
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