Mulch
Mulch is magic!
Mulch offers trees, shrubs, plants, and gardens many benefits. It keeps roots cool, retains moisture, protects roots from foot traffic, protects tree trunks from lawn care equipment, reduces erosion and soil compaction, prevents water runoff, improves the organic content of the soil, keeps weeds down, absorbs excess moisture in spring and fall, and extends the mud-free pavement zone, giving students more room to play.
How to Order Mulch
TDSB schools can order shredded bark mulch (cedar or pine mulch): Do not use wood chips as they can float away and clog catch basins.
Mulch can be ordered twice per school year, up to a maximum of one truck load each time (equal to 5 cubic yards). Use the chart below to determine the total amount of mulch needed. Recommended depth/distance for trees and shrubs: spread mulch no more than 2-3 inches or 5 – 7.5 cm deep and 1 metre out from the tree.
Ask your head caretaker to submit a Notification for mulch to your Grounds Team Leader. Mulch can be ordered during periods when the ground is dry, even in winter! If the ground is too soft for the trucks to deliver mulch, it can be dumped in the parking lot.
Be sure to specify:
quantity (try this formula: Length (in feet) x Width (in feet) x Depth (in feet) ÷ 27 = cubic yards)
the location (approved by principal) for the mulch to be unloaded at your school (as close as possible to the site where it will be used)
more details on our Garden Site
How to Mulch
Mulch in a "doughnut" shape at the base of the trunk keeps moisture away from the trunk and in the soil where the roots get oxygen and water.
If mulch is piled high against the tree trunk, the moisture retained by the mulch will cause the tree base to rot.
Doughnut Mulch - YES!
Volcano Mulch - NO!
