mulch

/məltʃ/

/məltʃ/

Other forms: mulching; mulched; mulches

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."

Definitions of mulch

1. noun

   a protective covering of rotting vegetable matter spread to reduce evaporation and soil erosion
   type of:

   protection, protective cover, protective covering

   a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury
2. verb

   cover with mulch
   “mulch the flowerbeds”

   type of:

   cover

   provide with a covering or cause to be covered