HomeMy WebLinkAbout32-93-00-Soil-Preparation-For-Trees-And-Planting-Beds_Rev_1Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
1 of 8
Section 32 93 00
SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
A. Drawings and general provisions of Contract, including General and Supplementary
Conditions and Division 01 Specification sections, apply to work of this section.
B. Related Sections: The following Sections contain requirements that relate to this
Section:
1. Section 01 56 39 – Tree Protection and Trimming
2. Section 31 00 00 – Earth Moving
3. Section 32 93 10 – Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF WORK
A. Provide all materials, equipment and labor necessary to complete the work as
indicated on the drawings, or as specified herein.
B. The principal work of this section includes, but may not be limited to, the
following:
1. Loam from off-site, if on-site is insufficient
2. Testing
3. Mixing of Loam and Compost
4. Grading and Spreading of Loam/Compost Mix
5. Application of Limestone
6. Application of Fertilizer
7. Application of Jute Mesh
1.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Contractor shall specialize in work outlined with a minimum of five (5) years’
experience on similar projects.
B. Contractor shall not make substitutions without written approval. If specified
materials are not available, obtain approval for substitution from the Owner's
Representative.
C. All fertilizer applications shall be performed by a licensed applicator in strict
conformance with all local, state and federal regulations. Notify the Owner’s
Project Representative at least two weeks prior to scheduled application. A copy
of the applicator’s license shall be given to the Owner’s Representative.
D. Pre-Construction Meeting – Contractor shall request in writing an on-site meeting
with the Owner’s Representative, the General Contractor and Site Contractor
and the Landscape Architect and the Civil Engineer to review the scope of work
prior to any work taking place to review the subgrade conditions. Any
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
2 of 8
deficiencies in the subgrade conditions shall be remedied by the contractor and
approved by the Owner prior to any loam being spread.
E. Any loam stockpiles sitting beyond one growing season shall be covered.
Contractor shall be responsible for complete removal and disposal of any weed
seed established on loam stockpiles prior to placement and spreading of loam.
F. The materials shall not be handled or moved when in wet or frozen conditions.
G. Imported loam shall meet LEED Criteria as follows: Imported topsoils or soil
blends designed to serve as topsoil may not include the following:
1. Soils defined regionally by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
web soil survey (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.) as
prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide or local
importance; or
2. Soils from other greenfield sites, unless those soils are a byproduct of a
construction process.
1.4 SUBMITTALS
A. Samples shall be as follows:
1. The Contractor shall provide a one cubic foot representative sample per
each 1,000 cubic yard on-site stockpile of existing loam for testing. All
stockpile sampling shall be per ASTM D 75 and Appendices.
2. Preparation of Samples: Contractor shall place these soil slices into a
large, clean plastic container and mix thoroughly. Contractor shall take
one cup of soil mixture and dry it room temperature (do not dry samples
in an oven or on a stove or radiator). Once soil is dry, place soil in
sandwich size type plastic bag and close. Label each sample on outside
of bag, identifying sample by soil type and stockpile location and phase
of construction.
3. Loam from off-site, if on-site loam is insufficient: The Contractor shall
provide a one cubic foot representative sample per each 1,000 cubic
yard proposed stockpile of loam borrow for testing. All stockpile
sampling shall be per ASTM D 75 and Appendixes.
B. Contractor shall submit to the Owner’s Representative samples, manufacturer’s
product data, source of off-site loam and certified testing of off-site loam at least
60 days prior to delivering material on site.
C. Contractor shall submit to the Owner’s Representative samples and certified test
results for on-site loam 60 days prior to using material to allow for reformulation
and retesting if test results are rejected.
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
3 of 8
D. Contractor shall submit to the Owner’s Representative certified test results for
loam with added amendments 60 days prior to using material to allow for
reformulation and retesting if test results are rejected.
E. Testing: Testing shall be as follows:
1. General
a. On-site stockpiled loam shall be tested at the beginning of each
phase of construction prior to its use in its respective phase.
b. Contractor shall provide current certified test results for off-site,
imported loam to be used on the project prior to use. Testing
date shall be within the current year the loam is to be used on
the project.
c. Contractor shall provide current certified test results of all soil
amendments including organic compost and soil additives prior
to use.
d. All testing and re-testing shall be at the expense of the
Contractor. Contractor shall deliver samples to an independent
testing facility such as the University of Mass Experiment
Station and have the results forwarded to the Owner’s
Representative for review and approval prior to using the
material.
e. Samples for tests shall be taken from on-site stockpiles in the
presence of the Owner’s Representative.
2. Testing reports shall include the following tests and recommendations:
a. Percent organic matter by weight as determined by the loss on
ignition of samples that have been oven dried to a constant
weight at temperature of 105 degrees C.
b. Mechanical gradation (sieve analysis) shall be performed and
compared to the USDA Soil Classification System.
c. Chemical Analysis shall be undertaken for Nitrate Nitrogen,
Ammonium Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium,
Magnesium, Lead, Zinc, Soluble Salts, extractable Aluminum,
Cadmium, Copper, pH and buffer pH, carbon:nitrogen ratio and
toxic elements. Except where otherwise noted, nutrient tests
shall be for available nutrients.
d. Soil analysis tests shall show recommendations for soil additives
to correct soils to meet the specifications and for additives
necessary to accomplish lawn and planting work as specified.
e. Certified analysis, manufacturer, labels and source of organic
compost and soil additives to be provided.
1.5 DEFINITIONS
A. The following definitions shall apply to the work of this section:
The following size distributions of mineral particles by diameter and sieve size
shall apply to the following conventional names of soil types:
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
4 of 8
Conventional Name Retained on US Sieve No. Diameter (mm)
Very Coarse Sand #18 1-2
Coarse Sand #35 0.5-1
Medium Sand #60 0.25-0.5
Fine Sand #140 0.10-0.25
Very Fine Sand #270 0.05-0.10
Silt by hydrometer 0.002-0.05
Clay by hydrometer Less than 0.002
1.6 PRODUCT DELIVER, STORAGE AND HANDLING
A. Protect all products from weather vandalism or other damaging or deteriorating
conditions.
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 CLEAN SCREENED LOAM
A. Loam shall consist of screened fertile, loose, friable sandy loam with no admixture
of refuse or any natural or introduced materials toxic to plant growth and free of
subsoil, refuse, stumps, roots, rocks, cobbles, stones, brush, clay lumps, noxious
weeds, litter and other deleterious materials. Loam shall not come from USDA-
classified prime farmland.
B. Loam shall be one of the following sandy loams: “coarse sandy loam”, “sandy
loam”, “fine sandy loam” based on the USDA Classification System determined
by mechanical analysis ASTM D-422. It shall be uniform in composition, without
admixture of subsoil. The loam shall possess good filtration and permeability
rates, and shall possess a mechanical analysis where:
Percent Passing By Weight
Millimeter US Sieve Size Max. Min.
12.5 1/2” 100 95
4 #5 100 95
2 #10 95 90
0.42 #40 90 60
0.149 #100 60 30
0.074 #200 15 0
1. One hundred percent shall pass a ½” sieve opening, and the maximum
retained on the quarter inch sieve shall be 20 percent by weight of the
total sample.
2. On-site and off-site loam shall be screened to achieve the above
specified sieve analysis.
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
5 of 8
3. Organic matter in approved planting soil shall be between 3% minimum
and 5% maximum by weight as determined by the loss on ignition of
samples that have been oven dried to a constant weight at temperature
of 105 degrees C.
4. Acidity range of planting soil shall be 5.5 to 6.5 pH when tested
according to methods of testing or A.O.A.C.
a. When pH of loam borrow is equal to or greater than the
maximum use aluminum sulfate to adjust pH to required levels.
b. When pH of loam borrow is less than the minimum required use
either sulfur or ferrous sulfate to adjust pH to required levels.
C. Soluble salt content shall be less than 100 PPM.
D. Loam shall be uncontaminated by salt water, foreign matter and substances
harmful to plant growth. Topsoil shall not have extractable aluminum greater
than 200 parts per million unless otherwise noted. Cation Exchange Capacity
(CEC) shall be between 10 and 15.
2.2 ORGANIC COMPOST
A. Organic Compost shall be natural or manufactured mature, composted organic
material produced from a DEP-approved composting vendor. Only Federal EPA
Class A or Massachusetts Type I compost products shall be used. Sewage Sludge
(Biosolids) shall not be used. The following shall be requirements shall be met:
1. Compost shall originate from aged organic materials, free from sticks,
stones and/or other substances which would be injurious to health
plant growth.
2. Test results shall indicate maturity and age of organic compost. Raw
uncomposted or unprocessed or incompletely composted organic matter
shall be rejected.
3. Compost shall contain no uncomposted bulking agents such as
uncomposted wood chips and shall be free from hard lumps and free from
seeping water when handled.
4. Compost shall be free from sticks, stones, plastic, debris or other
substances which would be injurious to healthy plant growth. 100% of
compost material shall pass a ½” sieve.
5. Acidity range shall be pH 6 minimum and 8 maximum when tested
according to methods of testing or A.O.A.C.
6. Organic matter shall not be less than 30% as determined by ASTM
D2974.
7. Moisture content of 35% to 70%, as determined by ASTM D2974
8. Carbon:Nitrogen ratio of 15:1 to 30:1
9. Solvita intex of 6 to 8
10. Non-phytotoxic
11. There shall be no unpleasant or detectable odor of ammonia or
hydrogen sulfide, which would indicate immature compost. Color of
compost shall be dark brown.
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
6 of 8
2.3 SOIL ADDITIVES
A. Limestone for adjustment of soil pH shall be agricultural grade ground dolomitic
limestone containing up to 50% magnesium carbonate in a dry, granular form.
Limestone shall be ground to such a fineness that at least 50% will pass through
a 100-mesh sieve and 90% to 100% will pass through a 20-mesh sieve.
B. Aluminum Sulfate for adjustment of soil pH shall be commercial sulfur,
unadulterated, 57% and delivered in containers with the name of the manufacturer,
material analysis and net weight appearing on each container.
C. Tree and Shrub Fertilizer:
1. Fertilizer shall be a complete commercial product complying with the
State and Federal fertilizer laws. Fertilizer shall be slow release
fertilizer packets, which are designed and certified by the
manufacturer to provide controlled release of nutrients over a
minimum three-year period. Packets shall remain sealed at delivery
to site and until installation. Each packet shall consist of four (4)
ounces of water-soluble fertilizer with a minimum guaranteed analysis
of available elements by weight as follows.
Nitrogen 16%
Phosphorus 8%
Potash 16%
2. Number of Applications Application Rate: Per manufacturer’s
instructions and as recommended by soil test results.
D. Sand shall be a gravelly sand meeting ASTM D 422.
Sieve size Percent passing
2” 100%
¾” 100%
¼” 50-80%
No. 40 15-40%
No. 200 0-3%
E. Bone Meal: shall be fine ground, steam cooked, packing house bone with a
minimum analysis of 23% phosphoric acid and 4% nitrogen.
F. Gypsum: shall be agricultural grade, granular form. Gradation shall conform to the
following:
Sieve Designation Percent Passing By Weight
No. 8 (2.36mm) 100
No. 16 (1.18mm) 97
No. 30 (0.60mm) 82
No. 50 (0.30mm) 46
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
7 of 8
No. 100(0.15mm) 21
G. Jute Mesh: Jute mesh shall be uniform, open, plain weave of undyed and
unbleached single jute yarn, a minimum of four (4) feet in width plus or minus
one (1) inch. There shall be 78 warp ends per width and 41 weft ends per yard.
Weight shall average 1.22 pounds per linear yard, plus or minus 5%. Staples for
Erosion Control Materials: 9 gauge staples shall be used with jute mesh: 11
gauge with woven paper.
2.4 WATER
A. Clean, fresh potable water free of salt and other impurities injurious to
vegetation.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 MIXING LOAM AND AMENDMENTS
A. Thoroughly mix the Loam and Compost at a rate yielding an organic content and
pH specified in Section 2.1, B. herein.
B. The Loam/Compost mix shall be fully and thoroughly blended.
C. Starter fertilizers and soil additives: All required materials shall be spread and
distributed into the soil at rates and amounts specified herein.
D. Contractor shall amend loam with organic compost and soil additives to meet
requirements in these specifications and only after approval of test results shall
amended loam be spread.
3.2 GRADING AND SPREADING OF LOAM/COMPOST MIX
A. Prior to any spreading of loam, it is the responsibility of the Contractor to request
a meeting with the Owner’s Representative and the Landscape Architect to
review and approve the subgrade condition. Subgrade shall meet the
requirements outlined in Section 31 00 00 – Earthwork and the following.
B. Remove all debris and other inorganic materials on any prepared subgrades,
and reshape and dress any damaged or eroded slopes, swales, and other areas.
Scarify and loosen subgrade to a friable condition in any areas where
compaction may have occurred. Fill all depressions in existing grades with
suitable fill material as specified in Section 31 00 00-Earthwork prior to
spreading loam, then shape and finish grade to depth of loam required. Loam
shall not be placed until subgrade is in suitable condition and free of excessive
moisture or frozen materials.
1. Landscape Architect shall review compaction testing of subgrades in all
landscape areas. The degree of compaction for subgrade in landscape
areas shall be 90%.
C. Loam/Compost shall not be placed until subgrade is in suitable condition and
Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School January 19, 2021
Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District 100% Construction Documents
Perkins Eastman DPC, project #71011
32 93 00 SOIL PREPARATION FOR TREE AND PLANTING BEDS
8 of 8
free of excessive moisture or frozen materials.
D. Loam/Compost mix shall be spread as required to produce a total depth of
twelve (12) inches for planting beds at the locations shown on the Plans.
E. Any debris that falls on paved or other hardscape areas shall be removed by the
Contractor.
3.3 APPLICATION OF LIMESTONE
A. When applied dry, limestone shall be spread evenly and incorporated thoroughly
into the soil by discing or other approved means.
B. When applied hydraulically, no discing will be necessary.
C. Granular treatment to be applied at the rate required by soil pH test to produce a
pH required per this specification.
END OF SECTION 32 93 00