Mulch

Material applied to the surface of a soil to protect the soil or to improve the environment of the soil's surface. Mulch can be made from many different kinds of organic or inorganic materials like stones, bark, compost, leaves, wood chips, and manure. The benefits of using mulch include the following: protection of soil from erosion , evaporation reduction, increased water infiltration , reduction in weed seed germination, increased seed germination, and reduction of compaction of soil.

See also Animal waste; Composting; Fertilizer; Soil organic matter; Soil texture; Topsoil

mulch / məlch/ • n. a material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil. ∎  an application of such a material: regular mulches keep down annual weeds. ∎  a formless mass or pulp: a mulch of sodden brown stems.• v. [intr.] apply a mulch. ∎  [tr.] treat or cover with mulch.

mulch half-rotten straw. XVII. sb. use of mulsh adj. (XV) soft, (dial.) of ‘soft’ weather, rel. to (dial.) melsh mellow, soft, mild (XIV):- OE. mel(i)sċ, mil(i)sċ, mylsċ, f. *mel- *mul- (whence also MHG. molwic, G. mollig, etc. soft, OHG. molawēn be soft, cogn. with L. mollis tender); see -ISH1.

mulch A loose surface soil horizon, either natural or man-made, composed of organic or mineral materials. It protects soil and plant roots from the impact of rain, temperature change, or evaporation.

mulch A loose surface soil horizon, either natural or man-made, composed of organic or mineral materials. It protects soil and plant roots from the impact of rain, temperature change, or evaporation.