Specifications include, but are not limited to: Part I Lawn Maintenance Consideration A. Mowing, Edging and Trimming: All turf areas shall be mowed twice per month from April 1 to November 1 and once per month thereafter; so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blades are removed per mowing. Mowing shall be with a rotary mower. Mower blades will be sharp at all times to provide a quality cut. Mowing height will be according to grass type and variety per Clemson Extension recommendations or client instructions. Clipping will be left on the lawn as long as no readily visible clumps remain on the grass surface 36 houses after mowing. Otherwise, large clumps of clippings will be distributed by mechanical blowing or collected and removed by the contractor. In the case of fungal disease outbreaks, clippings will be collected until the disease outbreaks, clippings will be collected until the disease is undetectable. Tree rings, plant beds, all buildings, sidewalks, fences, driveways, parking lots and other surfaced areas bordered by grass will be edged once per month. The turf around sprinkler heads will be trimmed or treated with a non-selective herbicide so as to not interfere with or intercept water output. Isolated trees and shrubs growing in lawn areas will require mulched areas around them (minimum 2-foot diameter) to avoid bark injury from mowers and filament line trimmers and to reduce root competition from grass. Such mulched areas will be a one-time annual charge to the customer. Contractor will clean all clippings from sidewalks, curbs and roadways immediately after mowing and/or edging. Clippings will not be swept, blown, or otherwise disposed of in sewer drains. All leaves and limbs will be removed from property and disposed of by the contractor. Part II Landscape Plant Maintenance Considerations: Trees, Palms, Shrubs, Ground Covers A. Fertilization: All shrubs, trees and ground covers shall be fertilized once a year during the month of January. The rate will be 6 pounds of 10-10-10 per 1,000 square feet of application. All palms in the landscape shall be fertilized one time per year at a rate of 2 pounds of 10-10-10 per tree. Slow-release fertilizer material will be used, 6 pounds of 16-4-8 for turf; 10-10-10 for all other. Established shrubs and trees in lawn areas exposed to lawn fertilizations will not be fertilized supplementally. Fertilizers applied to shrubs and trees planted in beds shall be broadcast over the entire plant bed. Fertilizer may be punched into the soil on berms and slopes where runoff is likely. Nutrient deficiencies shall be treated with supplemental applications of the specific lacking nutrient according to Clemson University Extensions recommendations. B. Pest Control: Contractor shall practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control insects, diseases, and weeds on and around perennials, ground covers, shrubs, vines and trees. This will include frequent monitoring and spot treatment as necessary using the least toxic methods. All spraying will be performed when temperatures are below 90ºF and above 60ºF when wind drift is negligible First choice will be insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, and biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations. Weeds in beds or mulched areas will usually be removed mechanically or by hand. Upon client approval, herbicides may be employed for heavy weed infestations. C. Pruning: After blooming for spring flowering, in winter for summer flowering shrubs, shrubs will be pruned with hand shears as needed to provide an informal shape, fullness, and bloom. Monthly pruning of shrubs. Removal of weeds in beds and on shrubs. Tree and palm pruning will be done once (1) per year and is limited to branched and/or brown fronds and seed heads below 20 feet in height. No green palm fronds shall be removed. The contractor will remove all litter. No trees under utility lines will be pruned and no pruning will be done during or immediately following growth slushes. Branches will be pruned just outside the branch color. Pruning paint will not be applied. Sucker growth will be removed by hand from the trees. No herbicides will be used for this purpose.
