Project Name
Section 329300 Plants
SECTION 329300 – PLANTS
THIS IS A SAMPLE SPECIFICATION FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN IS INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. RESCAPE CALIFORNIA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REGARDING THE SUITABILITY OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE SAMPLE BAY-FRIENDLY LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE IN THE PLANTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR A PROJECT. THIS SAMPLE SPECIFICATION CAN BE USED AS A TEMPLATE FOR THE PROJECT’S PLANTING SPECIFICATION SECTION OR THE TEXT CAN BE INSERTED AS APPROPRIATE INTO AN EXISTING PLANTING SPECIFICATION SECTION. LAST UPDATED 4/27/17.
PART 1 – GENERAL
1.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS
A. [Insert appropriate text regarding related documents including plans, standard and special provisions and the contract]
B. Reference Documents:
1. Bay-Friendly Rated Scorecard for Civic, Commercial and Multifamily Landscapes for this project
2. Bay-Friendly Rating Manual for Civic, Commercial and Multifamily Landscapes: serves as a guide in describing the requirements and verification procedures for each practice in the scorecard.
3. Bay-Friendly Maintenance Manual: serves as a reference document to provide language as needed to improve the environmental standards of ongoing landscape maintenance contracts.
4. Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines: fully describes the seven Bay-Friendly principles, offering 55 practices in sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance.
5. Additional Bay-Friendly resources found at www.ReScapeCA.org
1.2 SUMMARY
A. This project has been designed as a Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape based on the Bay-Friendly Rated Scorecard for Civic, Commercial and Multifamily Landscapes Version 4 and the Bay-Friendly Rating Manual for Civic, Commercial & Multifamily Landscapes Version 4.
The Bay-Friendly Rating system is managed by ReScape California. This project is registered by the Bay-Friendly Rater [name] with ReScape California in order to obtain Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape designation. The Bay-Friendly Rating Manual and Scorecard can be downloaded for free from www.ReScapeCA.org
“Bay-Friendly” refers to a comprehensive approach to the design, construction, and maintenance of healthy, environmentally sound landscapes. Bay-Friendly practices work with nature to reduce waste and protect the watersheds and communities of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Bay-Friendly approach is guided by seven principles. These principles are explained in detail in the Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines and are summarized here:
1. Landscaping Locally
2. Landscape for Less to the Landfill
3. Nurture the soil
4. Conserve Water
5. Conserve Energy
6. Protect Water & Air Quality
7. Create Wildlife Habitat
B. The Contractor shall comply with all requirements as shown on the plans and specified herein:
C. Section Includes:
1. Plant Material
2. Soils Test
3. Soil Amendments (Compost)
4. Fertilizers
5. Imported Planting Soil
6. Mulches
7. Weed Barrier (Sheet Mulch)
8. Pre-emergent herbicides
9. Integrated Pest Management
10. Tree Staking
11. Landscape Edging
12. Root Barrier
13. Protective Covering for Soil Compaction
14. Landscape Maintenance Period
D. Related Sections:
1. Bay-Friendly Rated Landscaping Requirements 013521
2. Bay-Friendly Construction Waste Management and Disposal 017419
3. [Insert all related specification sections]
1.3 DEFINITIONS
A. Bay-Friendly Rater is an independent landscape professionals trained to guide project teams through the rating system. They provide important quality control for property owners, help streamline the rating process with their knowledge of the Bay-Friendly system and practices, and handle the project registration process with the program administrator, Rescape California. All Qualified Raters are listed in the Rescape California online directory of Bay-Friendly Qualified Professionals. www.ReScapeCA.org
B. California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Organic Input Material (OIM) Program registers fertilizing materials to be used in organic crop and food production. The program is mandated by the Legislature and supported by the industry. Products claiming to be appropriate for use in organic production are verified to comply with the California Fertilizing Materials Law and Regulations and USDA National Organic Program Standards. OIM’s are listed on the Fertilizer Product Database at www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/fertilizer_OIM.html.
C. Compost is the product of controlled biological decomposition of organic materials, often including urban plant debris and food scraps. It is an organic matter resource that has the unique ability to improve the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of soils or growing media. It contains plant nutrients but is typically not characterized as a fertilizer.
1. Quality compost is mature, well decomposed, stable, and weed-free, derived from agricultural and/or, food scraps and/or plant trimmings, contains no substances toxic to plants, possesses no significant objectionable odors (such as ammonia or garbage) and meets stability/ maturity indicators. It does not resemble the feedstock (the original materials from which it was derived).
2. Local compost and mulch are generated from feedstock/materials sourced within 100 miles or produced at a permitted facility within 100 miles of the project site.
3. Recycled compost is generated from plant trimmings and/or food scraps.
D. FSC-certified wood is harvested from sustainably managed forests and certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council’s criteria.
E. Grasscycling means leaving the clippings on turf after mowing, so they decompose and release their nutrients in the soil.
F. Green waste consists of the plant debris from trees, shrubs, groundcover and turf that is generated during landscape demolition, installation or maintenance.
G. Hardscape includes pavements, gravels, stone and other surfacing materials used for sidewalks, patios, walkways, driveways, parking lots and other non-roof, non-landscape surfaces.
H. Invasive plant species means species of plants not historically found in California that spread outside cultivated areas and can damage environmental or economic resources. Invasive species may be regulated by county agricultural agencies as noxious species. (Source: California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.)
I. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a holistic approach to mitigating insects, plant diseases, weeds, and other pests. It involves the use of many strategies for managing, but not eliminating pests. IPM uses cultural, mechanical, physical, and biological control methods before using pesticides to control pests and diseases in the landscape. Chemical controls are applied only when monitoring indicates that preventative and non-chemical methods are not keeping pests below acceptable levels. When pesticides are required, the least toxic and the least persistent pesticide that will provide adequate pest control is applied.
J. Mulch: Any material spread evenly over the surface of the soil to enhance the growth of plants and the appearance of the landscape.
1. Recycled mulch is made from organic materials, including tree trimmings, clean (unpainted and untreated) wood, or wood and plant trimmings chipped on site. It does not include forest industry products and byproducts (such as redwood bark whole or shredded, other bark mulches, or peat moss), recycled tires or other inorganic materials.
K. Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI) is a national nonprofit organization that reviews products to determine their suitability for producing, processing and handling organic food and fiber under the USDA National Organic Program Rule
L. Sheet mulching uses a layering system of cardboard, compost, and mulch to enhance weed suppression, or smother existing lawn for conversion to planting areas, and provide soil building benefits. (Source: A Bay-Friendly Guide to Mulch)
M. TMECC: Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and compost, published by the USDA and US Composting Council.
N. US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program is a compost testing, labeling and information disclosure program designed to provide the information necessary to get the maximum benefit from the use of compost. The testing program includes a suite of physical, chemical and biological tests intended to help both compost producer and purchaser to determine if the compost they are considering is suitable for the use that they are planning, and to help them compare various compost products using a testing program that can be performed by a group of independent, certified labs across the country and in Canada. (Adapted from U.S. Composting Council, www.compostingcouncil.org)
O. [Insert other definitions as necessary]
1.4 SUBMITTALS
A. Many of these submittals are required to verify compliance with the Bay-Friendly Rated Scorecard, including product data, delivery tags and Accountability Forms. Contractor shall refer to Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape Specification 013512 in these specifications for additional information and direction.
B. As many of the specified items are required to comply with the Bay-Friendly Rated Scorecard, no substitutions will be allowed without prior written approval of the Owner’s Representative.
C. Product Data: For each of the following:
1. Compost: Cut sheet verifying feedstock and source
2. Mulch: Cut sheet verifying feedstock type and producer.
3. Submit to the Owners Representative complete list of materials prior to performing any work. The material list shall include a description of each item, the quantity of each item and the dealer source of each item.
4. A complete plant list indicating species, variety, quantity and size shall be submitted to and accepted by the Owner’s Representative prior to locating plant material on-site.
Materials installed or furnished without prior acceptance by the Owners Representative may be rejected and if so will be removed from the site by the Contractor.
D. Samples for Verification: For each of the following:
1. The following items shall be submitted in a 1 pint minimum volume of each in sealed plastic bag or container. Submittal shall be labeled with weight and source of each item. Each submittal shall represent a true sample of material to be provided at the project site
a. Amendments:
b. Imported Planting Soils:
c. Mulch:
d. Compost:
2. Tree Staking materials: [ Insert required submittal]
3. Landscape Edging and Accessories: Manufacturer's standard size, to verify color and material selected.
4. Sheet Mulch Materials: Sample of 100% Recycled B Flute Cardboard
5. Root Barrier: Width of panel by 12 inches (300 mm).
E. Lab Analysis Reports. See section 2.2 Soil Analysis Report and Recommendations for testing requirements. Submit lab reports for each of the following:
1. Soil analysis report and recommendations for on-site soil
2. Compost technical data sheet including compost laboratory report, including test data summary page. If results are outside of acceptable parameters contractor is responsible for retesting compost or finding an acceptable alternative.
3. Imported planting topsoil report and recommendations.
F. Tags/Receipts. Contractor is to submit the following tags/ receipts to the landscape architect at the completion of construction prior to project acceptance.
1. Receipts for compost showing the correct volume meeting the practice description (C.9).
2. Receipts for mulch showing product is local and recycled (D.5.2).
G. Record Drawings [Insert text]
1.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Preferred Qualifications:
1. It is preferred that the Contractor have assigned to the project at least one employee who is a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional.
2. It is preferred that the Contractor have assigned to the project at least one employee who is a Certified Irrigation Contractor (Irrigation Association).
3. It is preferred that the Contractor have assigned to the project at least one employee who is a Certified Arborist or Certified Tree Worker (International Society of Arboriculture)
4. It is preferred that the Contractor have assigned to the project at least one employee who has experience or training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
B. Required Qualifications
1. Contractor must have a valid California C-27 Contractor’s license authorized by the State of California.
2. Contractor shall provide evidence of sufficient experience with similar projects. Provide list including a minimum of five recently installed projects with location, date completed, owner, and contact person and phone number.
3. Contractor must have assigned to the project at least one employee possessing a California State Chemical Applicator’s License for the control of weeds, plant diseases and other pests.
C. Plant Material:
1. Provide plants as specified in the documents including size, genus, species and variety. Any request for substitution must be reviewed and approved by owner for conformance to the Bay-Friendly Rated Scorecard requirements and points.
D. Testing Agencies: soil testing must be done by an accredited soils laboratory approved by the Owner’s Representative. Laboratories that participate in the North American Proficiency Testing Program (NAPT) are recommended. See http://www.naptprogram.org/about/
participants for participating laboratories
1.3 SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT
A. Fuel conservation and low emission equipment. The Contractor will implement strategies in work operations to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions, such as:
1. Use hand-powered equipment when feasible.
2. Minimize use of gas-powered blowers, especially on planting beds.
3. Select smallest, most fuel efficient equipment to accomplish task.
4. Consider vehicles that operate on natural gas or biodiesel.
5. Maintain all equipment properly and keep them well tuned.
6. Emphasize employee carpooling to Project Site.
B. Use local products and suppliers. Bay-Friendly Rated Landscapes encourage the use of local materials. Points are awarded if 100% of any stone and non-hardscape material is produced within 200 miles of the project site. The Contractor shall source materials as specified and is encouraged to suggest substitutions in favor of local materials where appropriate to be approved by Owner’s Representative. The Contractor shall use local products and suppliers for all other landscape items to the extent possible to minimize fuel consumption and emissions.
C. Bay-Friendly Rated Landscapes encourage the use of environmentally preferable materials that are salvaged; FSC- certified or has recycled content. The Contractor shall use environmentally preferable products as specified and is encouraged to suggest substitutions in favor of recycled content or salvaged materials where appropriate to be approved by Owner’s Representative.
D. Equipment refueling and repair. The Contractor shall refuel and repair equipment in a safe manner to protect against accidental spills. Limit refueling to specific areas on a site. Measures shall be taken to prevent, control, and clean-up spills. Clean-ups should be immediate, automatic and routine and performed by a trained staff member or a licensed cleaning company.
1.4 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING
A. [ Insert text]
1.5 PROJECT CONDITIONS
A. [ Insert text]
1.6 WARRANTY
A. [ Insert text]
PART 2 – PRODUCTS
2.1 PLANT MATERIAL