Division 32 - Lawns & Grasses

  1. This information provides guidelines for seeded, sodded, and hydro-seeded lawns, including new work and restoration of disturbed areas. Temporary facilities and controls are covered in other parts of these standards or are available from the WWU project representative. 
  2. WWU project representative, Facilities Maintenance (FM), Public Safety Office, and Environmental Health and Safety Office shall approve selection of materials, means, and methods. Unless otherwise approved, design intent requires means and methods that provide minimal disruption to adjacent building activities and operations. 
  3. When working on or adjacent to occupied buildings, require means and methods that protect occupants from exposure to noise, dust, traffic, and other hazards.
  4. Review recommendations with Outdoor Maintenance. Different seed, mulch, and fertilizer requirements may be needed in different applications, such as new lawns, lawn areas to be restored, perimeter grass restoration areas, and biofiltration swales. Planting of lawn permitted between March 1 and October 1.
  5. Subgrade preparation: MUST Scarify subsoil 12"-18" deep in a consistent pattern to ensure loosening of all compacted subgrade. Obtain approval of subgrade depths, slopes, and preparation prior to proceeding.
  6. Seed and sod requirements.
    • Athletic fields – blend 3-way turf type perennial rye, “Oregon Certified Seed.” (Minimum requirements of Oregon certified seed are as published in the current year’s Oregon Certified Seed Handbook.)
    • Ornamental fields – Chuckanut Mix: 49% Penlawn Fescue, 24.5% Chewings Fescue, 12.5% Red Fescue.
  7. Planting mix for topsoil:
    • Native sandy loam + (plus)
    • 10% washed sand + (plus)
    • 20% aged fir/hemlock sawdust
    • Soils added MUST be sample tested prior to depositing to ensure correct fertility balance and clear from excessive weeds.
  8. Lawn maintenance:
    • Begin immediately after each portion of seeded or sodded area is planted.
    • Pennmulch or equivalent is recommended if hydro-seeding is not applied.
    • Protect and maintain lawns and other grass areas by watering, mowing, fertilizing, weeding, and reseeding as necessary for at least 30 days and as much longer as necessary to establish a uniform stand of grasses and until final acceptance. 
    • Avoid drying out during seed germination and periodically thereafter to promote healthy grass until a thick, even stand of grass has been obtained. 
  9. Work in, or adjacent to, City right-of-way shall conform to City and Washington State Department of Ecology requirements.
     

Latest update

2023-11-06