: 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
In higher zones, bulbs overwinter in the ground with a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch.
—
Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Water plants thoroughly and apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch, leaving a small ring around the stem free of mulch.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Instead of decorative mulch that requires refreshing, Bigham has been incorporating river rock or gravel into flower beds.
—Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
To help a blueberry bush that was planted too late in the season, keep it heavily mulched, with 4 to 6 inches of mulch, and water it daily.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mulch
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Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Water plants thoroughly and apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch, leaving a small ring around the stem free of mulch.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Instead of decorative mulch that requires refreshing, Bigham has been incorporating river rock or gravel into flower beds.
—Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
To help a blueberry bush that was planted too late in the season, keep it heavily mulched, with 4 to 6 inches of mulch, and water it daily.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mulch
Cite this Entry
“Mulch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mulch. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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