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

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

From BBC

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

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

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

They brought portable weather stations and sensors, as well as swatches of different paving materials such as grass, mulch, turf, rubber and concrete to each site.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compost
• manure