mulch

[ muhlch ]

noun

1. a covering, as of straw, compost, or plastic sheeting, spread on the ground around plants to prevent excessive evaporation or erosion, enrich the soil, inhibit weed growth, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with mulch.

mulch

/ mʌltʃ /

noun

1. half-rotten vegetable matter, peat, etc, used to prevent soil erosion or enrich the soil

verb

1. tr to cover (the surface of land) with mulch

Other Words From

• non·mulched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mulch¹

1650–60; noun use of obsolete mulch (adj.), Middle English molsh soft, Old English myl ( i ) sc mellow; cognate with dialectal German molsch soft, overripe

Word History and Origins

Origin of mulch¹

C17: from obsolete mulch soft; related to Old English mylisc mellow; compare dialect German molsch soft, Latin mollis soft

Example Sentences

I focused on the sound of the forest mulch crunching beneath my feet.

From Outside Online

This all-in-one yard tool can vacuum, leaf blow, and mulch, and is less than nine pounds for easy maneuvering and lifting.

From Popular-Science

You can conveniently grind down up to 16 bags of mulch into one with this leaf blower vacuum.

From Popular-Science

Logee’s adds some mulch film to make sure everything stays in the pot.

From Popular-Science

He didn’t just deliver your mulch, he also might take it out back and spread it.

From Washington Post

Other plants may be able to get along with a mulch of grass-clippings from the lawn.

From Project Gutenberg

Others advise leaving the clippings to act as a sort of mulch.

From Project Gutenberg

It is perennial and hardy in the northern states, but it is advisable to give it a mulch on the approach of winter.

From Project Gutenberg

Into the heavy borders about the boundaries of the place the autumn leaves will drift and afford an excellent mulch.

From Project Gutenberg

When it is impossible to furnish water, it would be a good plan to mulch heavily with straw or some other substance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compost
• manure