mulch

[ muhlch ]

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)

1. to cover with mulch.

mulch

/ 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 Words From

• non·mulched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mulch¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mulch¹

C17: from obsolete mulch soft; related to Old English mylisc mellow; compare dialect German molsch soft, Latin mollis soft

Example Sentences

The blaze was 17% contained by Saturday morning as crews were dousing mulch fires in agricultural land north of the 118 Freeway just a few miles east from the fire’s origin in the Somis neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

The fig and avocado trees were pruned a bit to provide as much sun as possible for the garden; a round steel trellis was installed on a walkway to support a thriving passion fruit vine; a guava hedge was cut back to create room for a blackberry patch and fruit trees such as white nectarine and pomegranate; and thick mulch was laid around the walkways to deter weeds.

From Los Angeles Times

The embers ignited everything in their path: trees, fences and the new plants and bark mulch Phil and Margaret had added just a few days before.

From Los Angeles Times

Almost all of the young plants and bark mulch the Hinches had added just a few days before the fire had to be replaced, but there were a few happy surprises.

From Los Angeles Times

To be more fire resistant, the Hinches also removed trees and wood bark mulch near the house and installed decomposed granite instead.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compost
• manure