mulch
noun
ˈməlch 
ˈməlsh
: a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper) spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (such as strawberries) clean
mulch transitive verb
Example Sentences
She spread some mulch around the plants.
Recent Examples on the Web Add a thick layer of mulch, such as 5 to 6 inches of leaves or wood chips to help keep moisture in the soil. 
Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Water the 'Candy Crush' frequently and spread a layer of mulch along the base to help keep its roots cool and moist. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Do a bit of weed eating, mow a nice pattern into the lawn and throw down a bit of mulch to keep the weeds at bay? Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 By May, the trees that were once a refuge for critters had been reduced to logs and steaming piles of mulch within sight of her front yard. Faith Boirard, Molly Born, cleveland, 22 July 2022 The point of mulch over bulbs is to keep them cool and moist in the summer, from freezing in the winter and weeds down in the spring. oregonlive, 2 July 2022 The La Grange Park Police reported two separate fires at the Village brush/mulch pile along the IHB railroad tracks near Homestead Apartments. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 Make sure the mulch is three inches from the trunk. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Officers responded to Waveny Park around 8:45 p.m. after a report of a possible fire in the woods on Lapham Road near the town mulch pile. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Water the 'Candy Crush' frequently and spread a layer of mulch along the base to help keep its roots cool and moist. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Do a bit of weed eating, mow a nice pattern into the lawn and throw down a bit of mulch to keep the weeds at bay? Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 By May, the trees that were once a refuge for critters had been reduced to logs and steaming piles of mulch within sight of her front yard. Faith Boirard, Molly Born, cleveland, 22 July 2022 The point of mulch over bulbs is to keep them cool and moist in the summer, from freezing in the winter and weeds down in the spring. oregonlive, 2 July 2022 The La Grange Park Police reported two separate fires at the Village brush/mulch pile along the IHB railroad tracks near Homestead Apartments. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 Make sure the mulch is three inches from the trunk. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Officers responded to Waveny Park around 8:45 p.m. after a report of a possible fire in the woods on Lapham Road near the town mulch pile. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
perhaps irregular from English dialect melch soft, mild
First Known Use
1657, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing mulch
Kids Definition
mulch 1 of 2
noun
ˈməlch
: a material (as straw or bark) spread over the ground especially to protect the roots of plants from heat or cold, to keep soil moist, and to control weeds
mulch
2 of 2verb
mulched; mulching
: to cover with mulch