mulch

American  

[muhlch] / mʌltʃ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover with mulch.

mulch British  

/ mʌltʃ /

noun

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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• nonmulched
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mulch

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

Explanation

In a garden or on a farm, mulch is an insulating and protective material that's spread over the soil. Mulch is made of organic stuff like bark or leaves. Mulch is almost magical in a flower or vegetable garden, keeping plants warm enough during the winter and cool enough during the summer. Mulch also suppresses the growth of weeds and encourages earthworms to burrow in the soil, which helps keep plants healthy. It also keeps the earth moist, by blocking some rainwater from evaporating. The word mulch comes from the Old English molsh, "soft and moist."

Example Sentences

Mulch films not only control weeds and pests, but also preserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, and improve nutrient uptake, thus helping to reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture.

From Science Daily • Sep. 25, 2023

Mulch helps to retain soil moisture and encourages the plants to settle in.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2023

Mulch was something on a forest floor, right?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2022

Mulch protects the soil, feeds plants and looks nice, but it can cost about $15 to $65 per cubic yard.

From Washington Post • Aug. 30, 2022

Mulch could feel every sweat gland on his body pop into instant overdrive.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Related Words

• compost
• manure