mulch

Everyday

1. A layer of material such as bark, leaves, straw or compost spread on soil around plants. tree →
2. (verb) To spread mulch on soil. tree →

In the lessons

Used in gardening and science about plants and soil: mulch keeps soil moist, keeps weeds down, and as it rots it adds nutrients. In a school garden, children might spread bark mulch. Phrases: "a layer of mulch", "bark mulch", "mulch the beds".

Examples

• We put a layer of mulch round the tomato plants. tree →
• Mulch helps the soil stay damp in hot weather. tree →
• The school garden is mulched with wood chips. tree →
• Grandma mulched her roses with compost. tree →
• Worms love the leaves we use as mulch. tree →
• Mulch stops weeds from growing so fast. tree →
• Spread the mulch, but don't pile it against the stems. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable: "some mulch", "a layer of mulch". Rhymes with "gulch". Not the same as "much".