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

Insulate With Mulch No matter the zone, crepe myrtles can benefit from additional mulch that locks in moisture and insulates the roots in cold weather. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025

Mulching around fruit trees is important to insulate the trees against the cold, but rake mulch back one foot away from the stem so mice can’t burrow or hide in it at the base of the tree. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2025

Leaves also suppress weeds, add mulch and enrich the soil. —Alice Cason, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025

That compost shows up as mulch and soil amendment in tree and other plantings around the city. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for mulch

• gulch

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