mulch

noun

\ ˈməlch

, ˈməlsh\

Definition of mulch

: 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

Other Words from mulch Example Sentences Learn More about mulch

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of mulch in a Sentence

She spread some mulch around the plants.

Recent Examples on the Web

All the mowers in the test mulch (discharge the clippings into the grass) and bag. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The 7 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers," 11 Apr. 2019 Twelve inches of mulch over the root system is not too much. — Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, "4 easy-grow fruit trees perfect for San Antonio," 2 Feb. 2018 Plus, there are plenty of compatible accessories like mulch kits, baggers, carts, and snow blowers to help with your other backyard projects. — Paige Szmodis, Popular Mechanics, "The 10 Best Riding Mowers to Shape up Your Lawn This Season," 29 May 2019 This year could be different, since my tomatoes are starting out with thick mulch that will securely hold moisture. — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "With drought always a threat, we all need to learn our water lessons," 16 June 2018 Though Northam prevailed on all of those bills, the legislature rejected a slew of his amendments on matters as massive as Metro and as mundane as mulch. — Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, "Legislature fails to override Northam vetoes but pushes back on amendments," 18 Apr. 2018 The fire was under control 10 minutes after it was reported and was isolated to a 30-by-30-foot area of rubber playground mulch and equipment, Scheunemann said. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Playground fire at Mountain View school draws arson investigation," 12 July 2018 No matter how the strawberry got its name, the plants love a year-round, organic mulch. — Lee Reich, BostonGlobe.com, "Gardening: quick and easy strawberries," 22 Apr. 2018 Cover spears with mulch or newspaper when freezing nights are predicted. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Garden-Fresh Asparagus," 19 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mulch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about mulch

Dictionary Entries near mulch

Statistics for mulch

Last Updated

16 Jun 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for mulch

The first known use of mulch was in 1657

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for mulch

mulch

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mulch

: a material (such as straw, leaves, or small pieces of wood) that is spread over the ground in a garden to protect the plants or help them grow and to stop weeds from growing

See the full definition for mulch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mulch

noun

\ ˈməlch

Kids Definition of mulch

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a material (as straw or bark) spread over the ground especially to protect the roots of plants from heat or cold, to keep soil moist, and to control weeds