Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense mulches, present participle mulching, past tense, past participle mulched
1. variable noun
A mulch is a layer of something such as old leaves, small pieces of wood, or manure which you put on the soil round plants in order to protect them and help them to grow.
2. verb
To mulch plants means to put a mulch round them to protect them and help them to grow.
In May, mulch the bed with garden compost. [VERB noun + with]
[Also VERB noun]
mulch in British English
(mʌltʃ)
noun
1.
half-rotten vegetable matter, peat, etc, used to prevent soil erosion or enrich the soil
verb
2. (transitive)
to cover (the surface of land) with mulch
Word origin
C17: from obsolete mulch soft; related to Old English mylisc mellow; compare dialect German molsch soft, Latin mollis soft
mulch in American English
(mʌltʃ)
noun
1.
leaves, straw, peat moss, etc., spread on the ground around plants to prevent evaporation of water from soil, freezing of roots, etc.
verb transitive
2.
to apply mulch to
Word origin
ME molsh, soft, akin to Ger dial. molsch, soft: for prob. IE base see mold3
Examples of 'mulch' in a sentence
mulch
What lilies like is a thick mulch of old garden compost for the worms to play in.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Only mulch when the soil is already wet.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Plant with lots of organic matter and mulch often.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Spread a mulch around the plant for winter protection and healthy new growth next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Cover the soil with a mulch of dry leaves around the crown.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Applying a mulch of compost or shredded bark to beds helps trap the moisture and control weeds.
The Sun (2013)
The mulch will give the soil a better texture as the worms pull it downward and feed the soil.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is also a good idea to give it a spring feed and spread a thick mulch around the base.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
How thick should a mulch be?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Afterwards, spread a thick mulch of garden compost around the base.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Afterwards, give each clematis a feed and surround the base with a thick mulch.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Afterwards, give the plant a feed and surround the base with a thick mulch of organicmatter.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A mulch will help in both regards.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In mild areas, leave them in the ground over winter but protect the crown with a generous layer of dry mulch.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This distinctive, interestingly patterned surface would enhance the dry theme and act as a mulch helping to retain valuable moisture during dry weather.
Bloom, Adrian Winter Garden Glory (1993)
I also hold off cutting back anything that needs extra protection from frost over winter, adding a layer of mulch around the dried stems as a precaution.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
mulch
British English: mulch NOUN
A mulch is a layer of something such as old leaves, small pieces of wood, or manure which you put on the soil round plants in order to protect them and help them to grow.