1. GENERAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MATERIALS AND EXECUTION a.This document is intended to benchmark the University’s minimum maintenance, repair, and improvement standards. However, the University respects the Contractor as a professional and, as such, will consider any and all recommendations made by the Contractor. b.The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to maintain turf and plantings, as specified herein. The University intends that this site be maintained resource-efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively. c. Maintenance shall consist of spring removal of old mulch, pruning, mowing, Pest Management (including prairie dog mitigation), weed/insect/disease control, litter control, and other procedures consistent with good horticultural practice are necessary to ensure regular, vigorous, and healthy turf and landscape plant growth. All turf shall be mowed with professional quality turf-mowing equipment. d. Contractors are encouraged to use non-polluting devices like rakes and brooms when feasible. The University prefers blowers and other power equipment with low-decibel, lowfool fuel consumption, and low-emissions models. e. The contractor is encouraged to develop cultural practices that incorporate on-site recycling of organic materials, such as leaves and grass clippings, and the use of recycled materials in its maintenance operations. f. Contractors shall visually inspect all landscape areas monthly from April through September to identify potential pest problems. Pest problems include insects, disease, and weed infestations. The presence of a pest does not necessarily mean there is a problem. The contractor shall keep written records of identified pests and areas where problems may develop. g. Control of Weeds: Use cultural methods (mulch, proper pruning) to encourage plant health and growth and discourage weeds. Keep planter beds and tree wells free of weeds and debris on a rotational basis, weekly throughout the year, by hand pulling or other mechanical means. The entire site shall be weeded by hand or mechanical, and roots will be removed weekly. Ground covers are to be trimmed so they meet but do not grow over walkways or outside any of the planters. 2. NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL a. Noxious Weed list can be found on the VA Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-noxious-weeds.shtml b. Noxious weeds must be bagged and disposed of at the landfill. c. Non-designated weeds of concern shall be controlled using ongoing landscape management techniques. C. MATERIALS AND EXECUTION – TURF MAINTENANCE 1. TURF MOWING a. All turf will be mowed with professional-quality turf mower equipment. Pricing assumes that bagging and removing clippings will be required only when excessive leaf debris is present, turf is too long to mulch, or moisture conditions are too high to allow effective mulching without substantial clumping of turf debris. b. Prior to each mowing, remove all litter and debris from lawn areas. Formal turf areas shall be mowed per the schedule below and maintained at a height of no less than 2-1/2 inches and no more than 3 inches. c. Alternate mowing direction where feasible every mowing. Maintain a uniform lawn height that is free from scalping. d. The University and the Contractor will evaluate and determine any areas that require bagging and removal of clippings on a regular year-round basis. e. The contractor is responsible for any damage incurred as a result of mower damage to trees and shrubs and must repair or replace any such damage at no cost to the University. f. Clippings will be swept or blown from hardscapes after each mowing. Sweeping is encouraged when feasible.
