Landscape Specialists Bellevue, Wa 425-644-6335 ( use your browser's back arrow to return to Landscape Specialists Home Page or go to http:/www.GoodFolksToMow.com EXHIBIT "A" Version 2d copyr Landscape Specialists, 2000 - 2004 Sample Specifications for Municipal Site Maintenance This should not be considered as a legal document ____________________________ The contract and specifications together have the following objectives: 1. To explain clearly the services to be furnished, and those to be excluded. 2. To list the legal and other qualifications required of the contractor. 3. To state billing and payment dates. 4. To spell out special provisions agreed upon with the Owner. _____________________________ Services to be Furnished The maintenance objectives are to follow sound horticultural practices so that the landscape is attractive throughout the year, and, to satisfy the Owner. For the regular services specified here, no extra charges will be submitted. To achieve these objectives, the following procedures will be followed: _______________________________ A. Lawns 1. Mowing Mowing height will be established by the second cut of the season and grass will be mowed before its length generally exceeds the established height by one half. This ensures a neat appearance and minimizes clipping length. The following schedule is intended to meet this guideline (for moderately fertilized turf): Jan or Feb: 1 mowing (ground must be frost free when mowed) Mar: 2 mowings Apr: 3 " May & Jun: 4 mowings per month July - Oct: 2 " " " Nov: 1 mowing (ground must be frost free when mowed) Total estimated mowings: 24 (includes 1 likely additional mowing) Designated High Maintenance lawns will be mowed weekly March through October, and once in January and November (35 likely mowings). 2. Edging Edging will be performed at every mowing, unless edges are not generally overgrown in excess of 1/4 inch. Edging is intended to keep a neat straight line along sidewalks, pathways, driveways, curbs, and stepping stones, and to outline the bed areas. 3. Trimming Trimming will be performed at every edging. Trimming is performed wherever the lawn mower is unable to reach, to include unusual dips, around poles, foundation walls, fences, trees, and along bed perimeters. Rocky or gravelly area's will be trimmed at the contractors discretion. 4. Grass Clippings Clippings will be left to disintegrate and return valuable nutrients to the soil. Visible clippings will be removed or dispersed. 5. Cleanup Lawn areas will be policed of trash prior to mowing. All sidewalks, pathways, patios and driveways will be blown off or swept at the end of the job. 6. Fertilizing Lawns will be fertilized in May and November using a fertilizer of the following approximate specifications: 3-1-2 NPK ratio; 50% slow release nitrogen from ureaform, IBDU, SCU or organic sources; potassium from potassium sulfate. This is a slow release, low salt, complete fertilizer, containing no herbicides. Contractor may choose to include iron sulfate to help control moss. Fertilizer is applied at a rate of 1 lb. nitrogen per thousand sf. lawn, per application. 7. Weed Control Broadleaf weeds will be controlled using a spot treatment program which begins in spring as weather permits. The contractor is responsible for monitoring weed populations and keeping them at acceptable aesthetic levels. Clover will not be treated unless it dominates areas of the lawn. This program will keep herbicide application to a minimum. 8. Moss Control Moss Killer will be applied in March to mossy areas, unless the area is deemed to be a permanently mossy area. If a lawn area is more moss than grass, the mossy area will be overseeded and topdressed after mosskiller is applied. 9. Leaf Cleanup Six weekly late fall leaf cleanups will be scheduled, approximately Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, to keep leaves off of lawn areas, pathways, and sidewalks. Leaves will be used to mulch planting beds wherever practical, with the owners approval. B. Shrubs, Trees, and Groundcovers 1. Pruning Growth will be controlled to generally maintain a neat appearance and appropriate size. Plants will be pruned to natural shape unless function is appropriate as a hedge. Dead and crossing branches will be removed, and interior branches will be thinned to improve the appearance and health of the plant. Plantings will be separated from each other and cut back from passageways, structures, and parking areas. Groundcovers will be edged along sidewalks and bed perimeters. Semi-woody groundcovers will be sheared or mowed bi-annually to prevent woodiness, improve density, and to renew young growth. 2. Fertilizing Plants will be fertilized in March and June if lack of vigor is evident. C. Beds 1. Beds will be kept generally weed free, using a combination of spot-treatment with systemic herbicides and cultivation. 2. Beds will be policed each visit, and raked monthly. Leaves may be used as mulch during winter months with approval of owner. In some cases conifer leaves may be used as mulch throughout the year, with owner approval. D. Landscape Monitoring The grounds will be routinely monitored for insect and disease problems, and will inform the Owner of recommended options. However, contractor will not be liable for failure to detect existing or potential problems. ______________________________________ E. Not included in this contract The contractor is not responsible for any work not specified in the contract. The following are extra charge items performed on request of owner, unless specified elsewhere in the contract. 1) Watering: There are three warm, dry months in the Seattle area; July, August and September. The need for water will vary depending on amount of exposure to sun, type of grass, soil, and thatch. One inch per week of water is recommended to maintain a lawn during these months. 2) Insect and Disease Treatments: (Least toxic options are recommended) 3) Aeration: Aeration can benefit certain lawns which are compacted or have a water-resistant thatch layer. If the soil beneath the lawn is getting wet after a good rain, the lawn doesn't need aeration. 4) Renovation: Lawns that have deteriorated may require any combination of dethatching, aerating, topdressing, and overseeding to restore them to health. 5) Treework or treatment of trees above 12 feet maximum working height. 6) Sprinkler System Repairs and Service not caused by contractors negligence. 7) Landscape construction and installation, including mulch applications. 8) Annual/Perennial Flower plantings and bed renovation. 9) Sweeping and Cleanup of Parking Lots and Service Areas, other than debris from operations covered under this contract. 10) Replacement of plant materials lost due to reasons beyond the contractors control.