a protective covering of rotting vegetable matter spread to reduce evaporation and soil erosion
"After raking in the fallen leaves, she spread a thick layer of mulch around the base of her tomato plants to keep the soil moist."
Any material used to cover the top layer of soil to protect, insulate, or decorate it, or to discourage weeds or retain moisture.
"After raking in fresh wood chips as mulch, the garden bed looked neat and was ready to keep the summer heat from drying out the roots."
To apply mulch.
"After raking up the leaves, she spread a fresh layer of wood chips to mulch around the garden beds."
The word mulch likely comes from Middle English words meaning "soft" or "mellow," which originally described something as mild or sweet like honey. This root traces back to a Proto-Germanic term for honey, suggesting an ancient connection to the idea of softening or sweetening soil.