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DictionarymulchProtective soil covering
noun / verb

mulch

MULCH/mʌltʃ/

Material spread over soil to protect plants and retain moisture, or its application.

The bark mulch covers moist soil around the young plants.

A close view of a garden bed shows a thick layer of shredded bark covering the soil around young plants, with a small exposed edge revealing dark, moist soil underneath.
Etymology
mulchMiddle Englishsoft, moist

The name probably comes from an adjective meaning 'soft, moist,' later used as a noun for loose material spread on the ground to protect plants.

In context

WIRED1:31
mulch gets some moisture, fungi and microbes break it down and then add a bounty of nutrients to the soil
Botanist Answers Plant Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

More examples

  • We mulch the garden beds before summer.
  • A layer of mulch helps the soil stay moist.
  • The newly mulched path is soft underfoot.

Forms

mulch · mulches · mulched · mulching