The landscape maintenance Contractor shall be responsible for all labor, materials, and equipment necessary for the proper care and maintenance of the landscaping, irrigation and related landscaping structures and systems. The following specifications are identified, as the minimum, to achieve the desired healthy and attractive landscaping within the community. MAINTENANCE FOR VISIBILITY AND SAFETY All personnel must wear ANSI Class III approved reflective safety vests anytime work is being performed on District property within road right-of-way. Appropriate Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) shall be per FDOT specification and used when personnel and equipment will be conducting work in or around traffic or pedestrians. Any employees working within 3 feet of any traffic shall have a personal flag stake. Contractor shall have basic and intermediate level FDOT MOT Certified staff on each crew. All landscaping shall be maintained in a manner that allows clear passage of vehicles and pedestrians, provides open visibility where necessary for safety, and does not obstruct lighting. Clear visibility in both daytime and nighttime is of the utmost importance for parking areas, driveways, and at intersections of all types. Trees and shrubs shall not be allowed to grow into or over sidewalks, cart paths, public or private streets, driveways, or parking areas in any way that conflicts with the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles. All plantings will be kept 4-6 inches away from all curbs, multi modal paths and sidewalks. Ground covers (Jasmine and Peanut) shall be kept neatly edged to the curb. TREE CLEARANCE A minimum of eight (8) feet vertical clearance shall be maintained. This shall be increased up to 15’ where necessary for the passage of taller vehicles—such as vans, buses, or trucks—in areas which must be used by such vehicles, smaller trees shall be kept inside curb until tall enough. Clearances shall vary per area and must be approved by DPM. In general, hedges and shrub masses shall be maintained at a maximum height of three (3) feet in all areas, including cul-de-sacs, where views must be maintained for safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. However, Contractor shall visually inspect the site (doing so on a routine basis) to determine whether safe visibility requires maintenance at a lower height, in any given situation. Individual plants or specimens which do not specifically impede safe visibility may conform to the other applicable standards of these specifications. All material will be kept trimmed off walls, fences, and any objects in landscape areas at all times. Trees near light poles shall be maintained as they grow to avoid impeding safe light levels, to the greatest extent possible. Pruning of all landscaping shall comply with the proper techniques outlined in these specifications, based on the type of plant material. But in all cases, ensuring safe visibility shall be the prevailing objective OFF ROAD VEHICLES • These vehicles should never exceed 19 MPH. • These vehicles are prohibited from using ANY tunnel. • These vehicles (including trailers) shall ALL have an Agricultural triangle visibly attached to the rear of the vehicle. • All vehicles (and trailers) will be marked to easily identify the company’s name. • These vehicles are prohibited to use the turf to travel and may only pull off in the turf to park in a safe area. • These vehicles will never impede resident traffic at any time. TURF MAINTENANCE MOWING Mowing of all turf areas shall be performed on a weekly basis during the normal growing season typically (April through October). During dormant months it is expected that mowing will be required 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. DPM reserves the right to adjust this schedule at any time. Mulching kits shall be installed on all mowing equipment to avoid damage to property and/or residents. When line trimmers are used, cutting height shall be in conjunction with mowing height. Scalping by either trimmers or mowers will not be acceptable. Damage to trees, shrubs and signposts is not acceptable. Mowing patterns shall be varied to minimize wear areas from tires and slippage. Mowing height shall be based on season and what is horticulturally correct for turf variety and location. The mowing specifications for Zoysia turf shall be as follows: a rotary mower shall be used on flat or wideopen areas, and the cut-height shall be set at 2”. For smaller areas, berms or swale-type areas, a smaller mower shall be used to avoid scalping or an uneven cut. (If a change in mower width or height of cut is considered, the District area Supervisor or the Landscape Manager must approve such change, in writing, before any work is performed.) Zoysia turf is to be mowed every 7 days during growing seasons and 12 to 14 days during the dormant seasons, or as needed. Zoysia turf shall be edged all year at a frequency and depth suitable to keep turf runners from growing into the planting beds. Any unsightly clippings, which remain on the turf and in the beds, shall be removed after Mowing. Walkways, streets, and parking areas are to be blown or vacuumed free of clippings after each mowing. 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 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 a per job basis. EDGING All necessary edging operations shall be performed routinely to trim the turf and maintain a well-groomed appearance for all sidewalks, curbs, 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 sidewalks, curbs, pavements, planting beds, and other such edges. Upon completion of edging operations, the turf edge shall be neat, clean, and approximately ½ 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. DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL All turf varieties shall be 95% free of pest infestations, fungus, and disease at all times. Regular inspections during normal maintenance operations shall be undertaken by qualified individuals to identify and respond to such conditions. 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 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 Application of herbicides shall be done on a curative "as needed" basis. A pre-emerge herbicide may be used. Broadleaf weeds, sedges, and undesirable grasses shall be kept to a minimum. Ninety five percent (95%) weed free turf shall be expected. Sidewalks must be kept free of weeds in the cracks and edges throughout the area. Spray with a nonselective weed killer without a spray tracker dye as needed. The weed pressure will dictate the frequency the sidewalks will need to be sprayed to maintain the cracks weed free. Caution shall be taken when spraying weeds or grass runners on the homeowners’ side of the sidewalk. Chemical damage to desirable turf is unacceptable and will be replaced 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.
