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DocuSign Envelope ID: F52521E7-10C1-43F9-B62F-C1E599A5D572 <br /> Practice Standards and Specifications <br /> Where provisions are made for regular maintenance, primary vegetative <br /> cover may be the end result. An example of primary vegetative cover being <br /> acceptable as an end use would be lawns in residential and commercial <br /> developments that are established,monitored and complimented with regular <br /> and approved horticultural maintenance practices. (See Example 6.11.a.) <br /> In projects where continual maintenance will not be provided or scheduled <br /> following the primary stabilization of a project, long-term stabilization will <br /> be necessary. Maintenance of initial and long-term stabilization can cease <br /> only after the long-term cover has established and hardened to local climatic <br /> conditions. Maintenance of long-term vegetation must be included in the <br /> project construction sequence and on the approved plans. Examples of <br /> areas suitable for long term vegetation include roadsides,reforestation areas, <br /> restored flood plains, restored riparian areas, phased closing of landfills, and <br /> mining reclamations. <br /> Complete stabilization requires using at least two, and most times, all three <br /> vegetative phases.The design professional must clearly communicate this point <br /> in their specifications, construction sequence, and in direct communications <br /> to owners and installers. The charts in tables 6.l l.a through 6.11 A provide <br /> information to assist the design professional in this task. The tables are not <br /> inclusive and are presented only as alternatives. The professional is expected <br /> and required to provide design and specifications that combine the information <br /> in the manual with knowledge of the particular sites and their constraints. <br /> pH AND NUTRIENT AMENDMENTS <br /> Determining the nutrients that enable seed and container plants to grow, <br /> flourish, and become established after planting are critical elements of the <br /> design and stabilization process. The soils tests previously described will <br /> provide a recipe for amendments based on particular plants and particular <br /> soils. The test results will recommend the amounts of base elements(nitrogen, <br /> phosphorous,potassium),pH modifiers and other trace elements that should to <br /> be added to the soil for selected species of seeds and plants. <br /> The acid/base characteristic of the soil is a primary component of soil fertility. <br /> If the soil acidity is not in the proper range,other nutrients will be ineffective, <br /> resulting in less productive plant growth. Most plants grow best in a pH range <br /> of 6.5 — 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). The soil tests will recommend the <br /> specific amendments and application rates required to achieve this range. <br /> These amendments must be incorporated into the soil (not applied on the <br /> surface) to be effective. (See the General Requirements for soil preparation <br /> specifications and timing for incorporation of soil amendments.) <br /> The base elements are easily found in bulk quantities. Lime can also be <br /> obtained in large quantities. They all must be thoroughly incorporated into <br /> the soil through appropriate mechanical means. Ground surface applications <br /> without proper soil mixing will result in poor results. <br /> In addition to the base fertilizers, other trace elements are needed to produce <br /> healthy and vigorous growth.These include but may not be limited to sulfur, <br /> manganese, zinc, boron, chlorine and molybdenum. If not already included <br /> with bulk mixes of the base elements,they can be obtained from commercial <br /> suppliers. <br /> Rev.5/08 6.11.5 <br />