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

Example Sentences

Then they added cardboard and a thick layer of mulch, using a no-dig gardening method called sheet mulching.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Hoo Zoo has also put a deep bark mulch on the floor, so that she is able to scratch, dig, and explore naturally.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

In recent months they have provided medical assistance, picked up trash, spread mulch, painted fences, and helped elderly locals who fell off their bicycles, according to National Guard officials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Troops have carried out a variety of tasks, from patrolling the National Mall and Metro stations to picking up trash, removing graffiti, spreading mulch and painting fencing.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

When I go to visit I always find her out in her walled garden with her hands sunk into the mulch, kneading the roots of her camellias.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• compost
• manure