Introduction to Web-Based MSA Guideline Specifications for Seeding 2005

The Maryland Seeding Association (MSA) developed its first guidebook for landscape seeding contractors, GUIDELINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR SOIL PREPARATION / SEEDING, in 1989. The current edition, MSA GUIDELINE SPECIFICATIONS 2005 (MSA-GS-05.0), includes numerous corrections and updates to the 1999 edition, and is the 5th general revision of the reference.

MSA-GS-05.0 includes detailed specifications for turfgrass seeding, temporary seeding, erosion control seeding, meadow seeding, and highway seeding. Like its predecessors, MSA-GS-05.0 is intended to assist contractors, architects, designers and others who write contracts or specifications for landscape seeding projects. The members of the Maryland Seeding Association endorse the guideline specifications included in MSA-GS-05.0, and encourage their use as models for landscape seeding in Maryland and adjacent regions.

For convenience, the web-based version of MSA-GS-05.0 has been divided into several parts for easier reading and printing. Each part may be downloaded individually as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files from this website. In each case, the file link is followed with a brief description of its contents.

To view these documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download this program, Click Here.


A MSA-GS-05.0 Book Cover.pdf
This is the cover of MSA-GS-05.0 which was produced with a spiral binding for sale at Maryland Turfgrass Council 'Turfgrass 2005 Conference & Trade Show' in January, 2005. It includes contact info and graphics.

B MSA-GS-05.0 p.1-4 Introduction.pdf
Pages 1 thru 4. Board of Directors, Foreword, Terms of Use, Endorsement, Table of Contents and Acknowledgments. Provides information regarding the authors, contact information, development and goals of MSA-GS-05.0 with an overview of landscape seeding and the Maryland Seeding Association "Excellence is our Goal, Successful Seeding is Our Mission".

C MSA-GS-05.0 p.5-8 Sec 1 Turfgrass Seeding-Subsoil Prep.pdf
Pages 5 thru 8. Outline and contents of "Section 1 Turfgrass Seeding ~ Subsoil Preparation". The specifications of Section 1 shall apply only to sites where topsoil will be deposited and spread over existing or disturbed subsoil (Section 2) in preparation for turfgrass seeding (Section 3).

D MSA-GS-05.0 p.9-13 Sec 2 Turfgrass Seeding-Topsoil Prep.pdf
Pages 9 thru 13. Outline and contents of "Section 2 Turfgrass Seeding ~ Topsoil Preparation". The specifications of Section 2 shall apply to the topsoil of sites intended for turfgrass seeding. Certain of these specifications shall apply only to topsoil that is transported to the seeding site, and others shall apply whether the topsoil is the natural topsoil of the site or whether it has been transported to the site.

E MSA-GS-05.0 p.14-15 Sec 3 Turfgrass Seeding-Seedbed Prep.pdf
Pages 14 thru 15. Outline and contents of "Section 3 Turfgrass Seeding ~ Seedbed Preparation". The specifications of Section 3 shall apply to the final physical preparation of soil at sites intended for turfgrass seeding. The specifications of Section 1 (if required) and Section 2 shall be completed before the final seedbed preparation is begun.

F MSA-GS-05.0 p.16-22 Sec 4 Turfgrass Seeding-Cultivars and Mixtures.pdf
Pages 16 thru 22. Outline and contents of "Section 4 Turfgrass Seeding ~ Cultivars & Mixtures". The specifications of Section 4 shall apply to the selection of turfgrass seed mixtures and to the conduct of certain aspects of turfgrass seeding operations.

G MSA-GS-05.0 p.23-29 Sec 5 Turfgrass Seeding-Seeding and Grow-in.pdf
Pages 23 thru 29. Outline and contents of "Section 5 Turfgrass Seeding ~ Seeding & Grow-In". The specifications of Section 5 shall apply to the seeding and grow-in care of fine turfgrass areas, and to the seeding of rough turfgrass areas.

H MSA-GS-05.0 p.30-37 Sec 6 Fertilizer and Soil Amendments.pdf
Pages 30 thru 37. Outline and contents of “Section 6 Fertilizer & Soil Amendments”. The specifications of Section 6 shall apply to the composition and application of fertilizer, limestone, sulfur, gypsum and compost for turfgrass and other landscape seeding.

I MSA-GS-05.0 p.38-43 Sec 7 Seed Mulches and Blankets.pdf
Pages 38 thru 43. Outline and contents of "Section 7 Seed Mulches & Blankets". The specifications of Section 7 shall apply to the selection and use of seed mulches for turfgrass and other landscape seedings as specified in MSA-GS-05.0.

J MSA-GS-05.0 p.44-49 Sec 8 Temporary Seeding.pdf
Pages 44 thru 49. Outline and contents of "Section 8 Temporary Seeding". The specifications of Section 8 shall apply to the seeding of vegetation which by its nature is fast growing and short-lived, and which is expected to persist and function as living erosion control groundcover for a period of less than one year before it is replaced with permanent groundcover or structures at private residences, construction sites and locations where other seeding specifications are not legally mandated.

K MSA-GS-05.0 p.50-58 Sec 9 Erosion Control Seeding.pdf
Pages 50 thru 58. Outline and contents of "Section 9 Erosion Control Seeding". The specifications of Section 9 shall apply to the seeding of permanent erosion control groundcover at private residences, construction sites and locations where other seeding specifications are not legally mandated.

L MSA-GS-05.0 p.59-69 Sec 10 Flower Meadow Seeding.pdf
Pages 59 thru 69. Outline and contents of "Section 10 Flower Meadow Seeding". The specifications of Section 10 shall apply to the seeding of ornamental flowering meadows for permanent low maintenance groundcover; Section 10 is not intended as a guide for natural areas or habitat restoration. The seed mixes specified for flower meadow seeding shall include species which are native to North America as well as showy introduced (exotic) species.

M MSA-GS-05.0 p.70-76 Sec 11 Wet Meadow Seeding.pdf
Pages 70 thru 76. Outline and contents of "Section 11 Wet Meadow Seeding". The specifications of Section 11 shall apply to the seeding of low-lying sites which have wet or damp soils through most of the year for the purpose of establishing permanent low-maintenance native vegetation for lowland habitat restoration. The seed mix selected for wet meadow seeding shall consist entirely of native herbaceous broadleaf and grassy species which are compatible with permanent wet meadows.

N MSA-GS-05.0 p.77-86 Sec 12 Dry Meadow Seeding.pdf
Pages 77 thru 86. Outline and contents of "Section 12 Dry Meadow Seeding". The specifications of Section 12 shall apply to the seeding of native grasses, with or without native wildflowers (forbs), for the purpose of establishing permanent low-maintenance vegetation for upland habitat restoration.

O MSA-GS-05.0 p.87-111 Sec 13 Highway Seeding.pdf
Pages 87 thru 111. Outline and contents of "Section 13 Highway Seeding". Section 13 of MSA-GS-05.0 is intended to assist seeding contractors who must conform to Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) requirements for landscape seeding projects. Section 13 has been assembled for users of the SHA Blue Book with selected extracts from that reference and information which is not currently available online.

P MSA-GS-05.0 p.112-134 Sec 14 References and Useful Data.pdf
Pages 112 thru 134. Outline and contents of "Section 14 References & Useful Data". Information about weights and measures, conversion factors, fertilizers, soil testing, soil texture and fertility, athletic field dimensions, pesticides, seed purity calculations, common and scientific plant names.

Q MSA-GS-05.0 p.135-142 Sec 15 Index and Photos [no photos].pdf
Pages 135 thru 142. Outline of Sections 1 thru 14 of MSA-GS-05.0 without photos taken by MSA members. Also includes general table of contents and information about the Maryland Seeding Association and contact information for prospective members.

R MSA-GS-05.0 p.135-142 Sec 15 Index and Photos [with photos].pdf
Pages 135 thru 142. Outline of Sections 1 thru 14 of MSA-GS-05.0 with some interesting photos taken by MSA members in the course of their work (black and white, 2Mb total). Also general table of contents and information about the Maryland Seeding Association and contact information for prospective members.