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

Overwintering Give Purple Daydream® Dwarf Loropetalum a thin blanket of mulch over the root zone to moderate soil temperatures during the winter months. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025

Top dress with wood chips to add nutrients and retain moisture, or use gravel as a winter mulch for plants that prefer drier soil. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025

When the holidays are over and when you are done with the tree, it can be recycled into mulch or used for conservation projects. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2025

Since then, Guard personnel have been largely tasked with patrols and beautification efforts like clearing trash, spreading mulch and pruning trees. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 20 Nov. 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