mulch

noun

ˈməlch 

ˈməlsh

: a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper) spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (such as strawberries) clean

mulch transitive verb

Examples of mulch in a Sentence

She spread some mulch around the plants.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fungal disease should be removed from the garden, and the soil amended annually with organic compost or worm castings topped with several inches of an organic mulch. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024

Next, add 2 to 3 inches of mulch or compost around each plant to help retain as much moisture as possible and provide a shade cloth on really blazing days for any plants that might be hit with that scorching August to September late afternoon sun. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 21 May 2024

Just be sure to add mulch around the base, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 May 2024

On Loch Raven Boulevard the other day, a platoon of workers with shovels and rakes pulled fresh, dark mulch from large trucks. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps irregular from English dialect melch soft, mild

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mulch

• stubble mulch

Kids Definition

mulch

1 of 2 noun

ˈməlch

: a covering (as of straw or sawdust) spread over the ground to protect the roots of plants from heat, cold, or evaporation, prevent soil loss, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (as strawberries) clean

mulch

2 of 2 verb

: to cover with mulch