Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Shrubs and Flowers A. Eliminate all bracing and tree supports as rapidly as plants can become self-supporting. This will generally require thinning the tree to prevent wind damage. B. Tree supports that must remain should be kept in good repair. Braces or supports shall be repositioned as often as necessary to prevent damage to the shrub or tree. These facilitate mowing, protect the plant trunk from the mower and help to avoid overwatering. C. All new shrubs and flowers should be deep soaked at least monthly during the first two (2) irrigation seasons, unless local soil and moisture conditions dictate otherwise, for good growth. D. Sucker growth on all plant materials at or below soil level shall be removed. E. All pruning shall be accomplished in accordance with accepted industry practices and standards. Tree stakes, tree ties, and guy wire shall be of material to match those existing on the site, and will be replaced or repaired by Contractor, as needed. F. Pruning shall be done in a manner as to encourage a healthy, natural growth pattern, and branching structure of each variety of shrub, flower, or vine. G. Shrubs shall be pruned back from walls and other pavement by two feet (2’) to allow the plant to grow out naturally and reduce the amount of pruning required. H. Pruning shall be done to keep plants clear of doorways and windows. I. All branches and plants touching structures shall be pruned back to a minimum of two feet (2’) from the structure to provide clearance and free air circulation around the plant and to allow the new foliage to grow out naturally. J. Plantings not in lawn area shall be deep soaked at least once a month during the growing or irrigation season, and once in late fall, unless adequate deep-water penetration is being achieved through normal irrigation. K. Flower and shrub beds shall be cultivated and weed-free. Maintain a cultivated, friable, loose topsoil for the purpose of soil aeration and water penetration. L. Contractor shall provide annual plantings of shrubs and flowers, to be changed twice per year (spring and fall), as directed by the CAL FIRE Project Representative. Requests for annual plantings shall be at the discretion of the CAL FIRE Project Representative and CAL FIRE Facilities Coordinator. 2. Lawn and Ground Cover A. Irrigation basins within lawn areas should, as soon as possible, be filled and converted to "sand pans" (basins full of sandy soil) installed flush with lawn soil heights. B. Lawn will be mowed at a height of one and one-half inch (1-½”) for grasses such as Bluegrass, Fescue, or Rye; and a height of one-half inch (½”) for Bermuda lawns. (Estimated frequency: weekly.) C. The areas that are on the north of the shop buildings will be mowed to maintain the grass below two inches (2”) in height. The areas that need mowing are shown in green in Exhibit A, Attachment 2, Site Map. D. The lawn shall be neatly edged along all borders and sidewalks (Estimated frequency: weekly.) E. Contractor shall not cause damage to trees. Contractor shall ensure all weedeater whips are kept away from tree trunks or that trees are not to be abraded or girdled by weed whips or other implements. F. Dormant-type grasses, such as Bermuda grasses, will be over-seeded with winter rye grasses in the fall at a rate of one (1) pound per 1,000 square feet. Seed shall be approved by the CAL FIRE Project Representative. G. Mowing will be of a frequency such that no more than one-third (1/3) of the blade length of the grass is removed per mowing. Mowing patterns shall be neat and straight. H. An attractive, green turf shall be maintained year-round. Grass seed shall be approved by the State. Grass seed shall be top dressed when applied to sparse areas.
