Specifications include, but are not limited to: Turf Maintenance: Mowing of turf areas must be performed at seven-day intervals during peak growing season with a minimum of 36 cuts per year. All trash and debris must be removed during each visit prior to mowing turf areas. Edging and weeding of sidewalks, curbs, parkways, beds, road curbing, parking lots and drives must be performed each visit in order to insure a well-maintained appearance. Trimming must be performed weekly along with mowing. All warm season turf must be mowed at 1" to 1½" whereas fescue will be maintained at 3 – 3 ½" height. Scalping of warm season turf must take place in early spring to remove dormant grass. Precaution will be taken to prevent scalping during the mowing season. All plant beds must be clearly defined between turf and plant locations. Pre-emergence herbicide applications must be made during early spring (Feb- March) to prevent turf weed infestation in turf areas. Post emergence herbicides must be applied to all turf locations during the growing season to control any weed escapes. Turf fertilization must be conducted four times growing per season. Blowing of all debris from sidewalks, walkways, curbs, and parking lots must be performed each visit. Insecticides must be applied as needed on turf areas to control non-beneficial insects. Disease analysis and application of effective fungicides to alleviate any fungus must be made as necessary to all turf areas. Core aeration of all turf must be conducted annually. Turf Mowing Lawns must be mowed at the appropriate height to keep a neat appearance. Considering the topography, the Contractor is required to use the proper mowing equipment to provide a high quality cut and minimize the occurrence of unnecessary scalping due to uneven terrain. Excessive clippings are to be collected and removed from the job site at the end of each visit. Clippings are not to be left overnight for removal the following day. The use of bagging attachments is recommended but not required. Permanent fixtures in the turf areas are to be trimmed with weed-eaters to avoid unsightly growth at the base. Care is to be taken at all times when operating around fixtures to prevent damage to them. Turf Edging and trimming along curbs, sidewalks & walkways, bed edges, parking lots cracks and tree wells shall be done to keep a neat appearance. All hard edges shall be mechanically edged weekly during the growing season. Turf along curbs and sidewalks that cannot be addressed with routine edging operations due to broken curbs or uneven borders are to be treated chemically and/or physically removed. Edging that cannot be addressed during regular visits, due to vehicle obstructions, is to be discussed with the owner to achieve a solution. Shrub and Tree Maintenance: Pruning of ornamental shrubs (up to 15' in height) and ground cover and removal of any dead limbs must be conducted at least six times per year or as required to maintain a neat appearance. A deep prune to obtain uniformity shall be performed in early winter. Partially dead shrubs must be pruned back to remove dead or disease areas. All branches and clippings must be removed from work area immediately after each pruning season. Pre emergence herbicides must be applied to all shrub/tree beds in February/March Post emergence herbicides must be applied as spot treatments in shrub beds during the growing season for control of weeds. Fertilization of ornamental trees and shrubs must be conducted in the spring and fall for optimum growth. Edging of all shrub/tree beds must be performed twice monthly. Applications of insecticides must be applied to all shrub areas as needed for control of mites and emerging non-beneficial insects. Disease analysis and the application of effective fungicides to control any observed fungi diseases in ornamental trees and shrubs must be made in a timely manner. All small ornamental trees (less than 15') must be trimmed to encourage good growth habits. Broken or fallen limbs must be removed from the property during each visit. All fallen leaves must be removed from property during late autumn and early winter. Must maintain at least a 2' perimeter of clearance around all Fire Hydrants All plant and tree material must be pruned in a manner to provide a neat natural appearance. Limbs that obstruct buildings, walkways or vehicular traffic must be removed. Shearing and selective pruning techniques are left to the discretion of the Owner. Shrubs must be pruned to retain their natural shape, to promote bloom, and to meet accepted horticultural practices. Growth must be kept from encroaching on signs, walkways, driveways, and ventilation units. All formal hedges must be sheared to maintain desired shape and height. Ornamental flowering trees are to be pruned at the proper time of year to encourage maximum flower production. Dead or damaged portions of plants must be removed whenever possible. Contractor must monitor trees and shrubs for signs of disease and insect infestations. If plants are affected appropriate recommendations for treatment must be submitted to the Owner. When insect and/or disease problems are detected, legally approved chemicals are to be used to treat the problem. Deep cut selective pruning and hard cutbacks will be performed on plant material during winter months, for corrective and restorative purposes. Owner must be informed before any drastic cutbacks are performed. All mulched or pine strawed shrub beds, maintained natural areas and walking paths, are to be treated with pre-emergence and post-emergence chemicals to control weeds. Weeds more than 2” tall are to be removed by hand and disposed of. Weeds less than 2” tall are to be treated with legally approved post-emergence herbicides. All pruning debris is the responsibility of the Contractor. No debris may be disposed of onsite without the expressed permission of the customer