Spring has officially arrived at Connecticut College, bringing an earthy, smelly surprise. And whether you’re a mulch lover or a mulch hater, you’ve probably noticed that the campus smells… like something’s decomposing. Because it is!
As Facilities rolls out some seasonal landscaping, spreading mulch around trees and flower beds, students and campus visitors have been met with a scent some might generously describe as “natural” and others, quite the opposite. With campus tours and warm weather, everyone is around and about (just like the smell).
I did not notice the new mulch when I stepped outside last week, but I certainly noticed the smell. To be quite honest, I thought work was being done on the sewage system. When I found out the smell was mulch, I was sure that there must be manure in it.
But not everyone is suffering. Some, like Claire Hlotyak ‘27, are firmly on team mulch. “The smell of mulch reminds me of spring, budding flowers, and happy memories!” she says. “I don’t think it deserves all of the hate it gets!” Claire, I applaud your optimistic nostrils.
For the curious and the concerned (as concerned as you can be about mulch), Facilities Director Justin Wolfradt has stepped in to clear the air. First things first: this isn’t new. “Mulching has been regular practice at Conn,” Wolfradt explained. What we’re all smelling now is just the campus getting back to business as usual.
“What you have likely noticed is that there was a drop-off in overall landscaping maintenance as a result of the pandemic, a reduction in Facilities Management staff, and shifting of priorities,” Wolfradt said. In simpler terms: less staff, less mulch, less smell…until now.
But now that staffing has been restored and key roles have been filled, Wolfradt says, “Management of the campus grounds are getting back on track to pre-pandemic times.”
That brings us to the big question: Why does mulch smell like this?
Wolfradt has the answer: “The odor is the natural outcome of the organic decomposition.” The mulch is made from trees and brush trimmed or removed from right here on campus. It’s then stored to sit and decompose and eventually ground into the mulch now coating our beloved garden beds.
And while some students have likened the smell to manure, others see it as a sure sign that life is blooming. Whether you’re disgusted or reminiscent, one thing’s for sure: this scent means the flowers and trees are on their way.
The mulch might not smell amazing, but it plays an essential role in keeping campus healthy and beautiful, one of the things Conn is best known for. It helps the soil maintain wetness, reducing the need for constant watering, and stops weed growth by blocking sunlight. As it decomposes, mulch also enriches the soil with nutrients, improving plant growth. It also regulates soil temperature, keeping roots cool in summer and warm in winter, and prevents erosion by keeping soil in place during harsh weather.
Sure, it might not be the most welcoming scent for prospective students touring the campus. But hey, what’s more authentic than a little organic decomposition to show you’re in a place where sustainability is a top priority?
So, whether you’re holding your breath from Harris to Harkness or blissfully taking it all in, remember: the stench won’t last long, and it’s just doing its job. Facilities is also doing theirs: getting our campus back in shape.
