Specifications include, but are not limited to: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS WEED CONTROL Beds are to be kept 95% free of weeds and landscape debris and trash. Hand weeding shall be done as necessary. Application of herbicides shall be done on a curative "as needed" basis. A pre-emergent herbicide may be used. Broadleaf weeds, sedges, and undesirable grasses shall be kept to a minimum. Chemical damage to desirable turf is unacceptable and will be corrected at Contractor's expense. All chemical applications shall be performed by trained, licensed operators in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, safety standards, and the manufacturer's instructions. Weed control in conjunction with mowing operations when required along edge of pavement, sidewalks, curbs, curb gutters, pavements, planting beds, and other such edges DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL All plant material shall be reasonably free of pest infestations, fungus, and disease. Regular inspections during normal maintenance operations shall be undertaken by qualified individuals to identify and respond to such conditions. When five (5%) of any type of plant material shows signs of disease, curative action shall be taken. Proper fertilization, proper watering, and proper drainage shall be practiced to promote plant vigor and resistance to pests and disease. Chemical application shall be used as appropriate to prevent damage, promote healthy and continued growth, and to treat and cure identified problems. All use of chemicals shall comply with all applicable regulatory and safety standards and shall be applied by appropriately trained and licensed pest control specialists. Chemical damage to desirable plant material is unacceptable and will be corrected at Contractors' expense. All chemical applications shall be performed by trained, licensed operators in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, safety standards, and the manufacturer's instructions. REFUSE CONTROL Areas within the project limits shall be kept free of litter and refuse (trash, cans, paper, bottles, cigarette butts, etc. and accumulations of leaves, dirt, branches, and palm fronds) at all times. Policing and litter pickup shall occur as often as necessary to ensure a clean, litter-free appearance. REPLACEMENT OF PLANTS TO MAINTAIN DESIGN INTENT No changes or additions of plant materials, and no changes or additions to the design or layout of the landscaping shall be made without review and approval of the City of Wildwood. Any tree, palm, shrub, or groundcover plantings which die, or which are damaged or decline to the extent of affecting the overall appearance of the project, shall be replaced promptly with the same species in a size which reasonably matches the plant it is replacing, in order to preserve the design intent and appearance of the landscaping. Any tree or plant which is abusively pruned in noncompliance with these specifications shall be replaced by the same species in a size which reasonably matches the plant it's replacing. The Contractor shall be responsible for the full cost of such replacements where required due to incorrect maintenance (abusive pruning, fertilizer bum, etc.) or to inadequate maintenance (disease, pests, fungus, irrigation negligence, etc.). The owner shall be responsible for the full cost of such replacements only due to damaging acts by others, acts of God, and/or other circumstances not attributable to actions or inactions of the Contractor. PINE STRAW MULCHING All plant beds and tree rings shall be maintained with an adequate and neat layer of pine straw, at all times. The landscape maintenance Contractor will be expected to replenish missing pine straw in all areas in between regularly scheduled mulching, or areas where pine straw disappears due to mowing/blowing operations such as in tree rings on the roadway medians. This shall be performed at no additional cost to the City. Care should be taken during mulching so as to not cover landscape lighting, valves, junction boxes or other structures and components. Care shall be taken to avoid piling pine straw around the plant crowns or trunks. Any areas found neglected or bare (weeds, blowing or irrigation repair) shall be replaced at the Contractor’s expense. MOWING Mowing of all turf areas shall be performed on a weekly basis during the normal growing season (April through October). Appendices “A” indicate a weekly or bi-weekly mowing and landscape maintenance schedule. During the months of November through March, it is expected that mowing will be required at least twice a month unless abnormal conditions arise. In any event, the turf shall be mowed at a frequency to promote healthy and continued growth as well as proper appearance at all times. Mower blades are expected to be sharp, leaving a clean cut. The City of Wildwood reserves the right to adjust this schedule at any time. Mowing height shall be as follows: St. Augustine ‘Floratam’ - 3.5” to 4” Bahia - 3” to 4” When line trimmers are used, cutting height shall be in conjunction with mowing height. Scalping by either trimmers or mowers will not acceptable. Damage to trees, shrubs and signposts are not acceptable. Mowing patterns shall be varied to minimize wear areas from tires and slippage. Any unsightly clippings, which remain on the turf, shall be removed immediately after mowing, not blown, or swept down storm drains. Walkways, streets, and parking areas to be blown or vacuumed free of clippings after each mowing. Please refer to “SITE CLEANLINESS AND CONDITION” for additional requirements during the months of November through March when mowing may only occur twice a month. EDGING All necessary edging operations shall be performed routinely to trim the turf and maintain a well-groomed appearance for all edges of pavement, sidewalks, curbs, curb gutter, plant beds, drainage structures, irrigation valve boxes, splice boxes, gate valve boxes, water meter boxes, and other such interfaces between turf and different surfaces. Bed lines shall be edged to conform to their original design intent, with adjustments being made periodically for the plant growth. Edging shall occur in conjunction with mowing operations when required. Grass runners and ground covers shall not exceed one inch in length along edge of pavement, sidewalks, curbs, curb gutters, pavements, planting beds, and other such edges. Upon completion of edging operations, the turf edge shall be neat, clean, and approximately 1/2 inch from the edge of any pavement, including roads without curbs, with a minimum depth of 2 inches. All paved areas and mulched beds shall be free of dirt, clippings, palm fronds, and debris after work is completed. LEAVES At certain times of the year leaves in turf may need to be removed with a vacuum to avoid having them accumulate in areas of the turf, or get blown into beds, parking lot islands or residential yards by the mowers. In areas with parking lots associated with the landscape maintenance, leaves and debris are to be either raked or removed with a vacuum. Leaves are not to be blown into landscape beds or down storm drains. If the condition of turf declines due to failure to remove accumulated leaves in a timely manner, the Contractor is responsible for replacing the turf. Any areas requiring above normal leaf or moss removal will be noted in specs on per job basis.