Specifications include, but are not limited to: MOWING: Turf shall be mowed to maintain a neat, trim appearance as often as necessary to produce a golf course look. The Contractor shall schedule to mow and trim all turf areas weekly (four times a month). The Contractor shall coordinate and schedule all weekly service visits with the State Highway Administration. The frequency of mowing cycles shall be adjusted according to growth rate, as directed by the SHA. Mowing shall be initiated when grass height equals five (5) inches. All mowing shall be performed with either a rotary or reel mower with a 60 inch or smaller cut. Mower height shall be set at three (3) inches”. Mower blades and settings shall be maintained as to produce a level, clean cut. Ragged edges shall be unacceptable. Prior to mowing, the Contractor shall be responsible for the cleanup of all debris in the area. The cleanup consists of the removal of all debris, trash, limbs, etc., and all material foreign to the natural vegetation that which would be cut or scattered by mowing. Mowing shall be done carefully so as not to tear the bark off trees or shrubs, intrude into ground cover beds, or cause damage to any plants, flowers, valves, curbs, or other structures. Should damage to any of the above listed occur, the Contractor will be held financially responsible for an SHA approved replacement or repair. Clippings shall be collected if clumping occurs. If clumping does not occur, clippings shall be allowed to mulch naturally. When mowing, clippings shall not be thrown onto paved areas, into tree rings, shrubs or perennial bed areas, buildings or vehicles. Grass clippings or debris caused by mowing will be removed from adjacent walks, drives, gutters and curbs or surfaces on the same day as mowed. Mowing will not be done when weather or conditions will result in damaged turf. Upon completion, a mowed area shall be free of clumped grass cuttings and tire tracks or ruts from mowing equipment. Turf shall be cut in a professional manner so as not to scalp turf or leave areas of uncut grass. TRIMMING: Grass shall be trimmed during, or as an immediate operation following mowing. Trimming may be accomplished by hand power shears or cord line trimmers. Trimming can be reduced by chemical edging with prior approval of the SHA. Grass shall be trimmed at the same height as adjacent turf is mowed. Areas requiring trimming include but are not limited to the base around all trees, fences, walls, poles, signposts, monuments, electrical boxes, tree rings, asphalt edges, guardrail, plant beds and all other objects as required by the SHA. Special care shall be given to trimming around small trees and shrub beds so as not to inflict damage to the bark of the trees and shrubs. EDGING: Edging (vertical trimming of all turf edges abutting sidewalks, flush paved surfaces, curbs, drives,) will be completed during each mowing. Edging shall be performed to result in neat vertical uniform lines and uniform depths. Concrete walks, and curbs shall have an edge cut into the soil within 1” and to a 1” depth Areas that require edging shall be determined by the SHA. BUSHES AND SHRUBS: bushes and scrubs shall be maintained in a uniform professional manner. They shall not block windows or look unsightly/unmaintained. All shrubs/bushes shall be trimmed a minimum of every month during the heavy growth season, or as needed during other periods. Upon winter weather setting in, all trees and plant material that can be cut/removed shall be completed. LEAF PICKUP: The contractor shall perform leaf removal most likely early spring and late fall from the lawn, parking lot, sidewalks, planting areas within the facilities. This will be completed at the Resident Maintenance Engineer’s discretion.
