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.

---

verb (used with object)

mulches, present (3rd person singular) mulched, past participle, past mulching present participle

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

---

verb

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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonmulched
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• mulching
  present
• mulched
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• mulch
  simple
• mulches
  simple
• have mulched
  perfect
• has mulched
  perfect
• am mulching
  progressive
• are mulching
  progressive
• is mulching
  progressive
• have been mulching
  perfect progressive
• has been mulching
  perfect progressive

Past

• mulched
  simple
• had mulched
  perfect
• was mulching
  progressive
• were mulching
  progressive
• had been mulching
  perfect progressive

Future

• will mulch
  simple
• will have mulched
  perfect
• will be mulching
  progressive
• will have been mulching
  perfect progressive

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

It also would help meet Mayor Bass’ Climate Action Plan, which aims to use at least 50% of locally produced compost and mulch within Los Angeles by 2030.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

When Percy was a puppy, he ate mulch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

This includes mulch, green grass, bushes and flowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Alternatively, some charities offer collection for a donation or local garden centres may chip up your old trees for mulch.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

“Where should I start? Poet, philosopher, fisherman. My pop calls me a bum, but that’s elitist, don’t you think? I can split wood, spread mulch, pour beer and grow perfect tomatoes.”

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• compost
• manure