Mulch

/mʌltʃ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A protective covering, such as wood chips or straw, placed on the soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility.

We spread a layer of mulch around the flower beds to help retain moisture during the dry summer months.

Any material used for mulching.

The garden center sells several varieties of mulch, including bark, straw, and rubber.

verb

To apply mulch to soil or plants.

After planting the new shrubs, she decided to mulch them for added protection against weeds.

To break down organic matter to be used as mulch.

You can mulch the leaves that fall in your yard to create natural mulch for your garden.

Middle English, possibly related to the word 'mulk', which means to soften or to crush.

wood mulch

A type of mulch made from wood chips, often used for landscaping.

mulch pile

A heap of mulch that can be used or distributed around plants.

garden mulch

A specific type of mulch used in garden beds to improve soil health.

compost

Organic matter that has decomposed and can be added to soil for nutrients.

soil

The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic substances.

fertilizer

A chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility.

To mulch out

After the big storm, we had to mulch out the garden to protect the plants.

Mulch it up

We need to mulch it up before winter to keep the plants alive.