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

Highly durable, Japanese holly requires no winter protection but can benefit from a few inches of mulch in the fall. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026

If containers are too large to move indoors or to a sheltered location, mound mulch around the pot and wrap it in a heavy blanket or burlap. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Your real tree can have a new life as compost and mulch. —Tracy Trobridge, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026

The San Diego County Christmas Tree Recycling Program turns recycled Christmas trees into compost, wood chips and mulch products for residents and business owners to buy year-round. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 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