mulch
n.n. a layer of material like leaves or wood chips that you put on the ground to help plants grow. It keeps the soil moist and stops weeds from growing.
n. a layer of organic or inorganic material applied to the surface of an area of soil. It serves to conserve moisture, improve soil quality, and suppress weed growth.
I spread mulch around the base of the rose bushes.
The gardener applied a thick layer of shredded bark mulch to protect the vegetable beds from the summer heat.
While organic mulches eventually decompose and enrich the soil, inorganic options like gravel provide a more permanent solution for pathways where aesthetic appeal is prioritized over nutrient cycling.
Probably from Middle English melsche, molsh (“soft”), from Old English melsċ, milisċ (“mellow; mild; sweet”, literally “honeyed”), probably from Proto-Germanic *mili (“honey”). Compare Icelandic milska (“a honeyed beverage”).