Mulching: meaning, definitions and examples

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mulching

 

[ˈmʌltʃɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

gardening

Mulching is a gardening practice that involves covering the soil around plants with a layer of material. This material can be organic, such as compost or straw, or inorganic, such as plastic or gravel. Mulching helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Synonyms

covering, protecting, shielding.

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Word Description / Examples
mulching

Used in gardening and agriculture to describe the process of covering the soil with a layer of material to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.

  • After planting the tomatoes, consider mulching the garden beds to help keep the soil moist
  • Mulching is a great way to improve the health of your plants
covering

A general term that can apply to various situations where one object is placed over another to protect, hide, or shield it.

  • Covering the car with a tarp can protect it from the rain
  • Make sure you are covering the cake with foil to prevent it from drying out
protecting

Used when the main goal is to safeguard something from harm, damage, or degradation. It can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

  • Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility
  • She is very good at protecting her inventions with patents
shielding

Often used to describe actions taken to safeguard something or someone from physical harm or exposure to elements. It tends to have a more immediate or defensive connotation.

  • He raised his hand, shielding his eyes from the bright sun
  • The soldier was shielding his comrade from the blast

Examples of usage

  • Mulching your garden beds with organic material like bark chips can help improve soil health.
  • Many gardeners use mulching to prevent weed growth and reduce the need for watering.
  • Inorganic mulches like black plastic can be effective in controlling soil temperature and preventing evaporation.
  • The practice of mulching has been proven to be beneficial for plant growth and overall garden health.
  • Mulching is a common technique used in sustainable gardening practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "mulching" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cobertura morta

🇮🇳 मल्चिंग

🇩🇪 Mulchen

🇮🇩 mulsa

🇺🇦 мульчування

🇵🇱 ściółkowanie

🇯🇵 マルチング

🇫🇷 paillage

🇪🇸 acolchado

🇹🇷 malçlama

🇰🇷 멀칭

🇸🇦 التغطية

🇨🇿 mulčování

🇸🇰 mulčovanie

🇨🇳 覆盖

🇸🇮 mulčenje

🇮🇸 mölun

🇰🇿 топырақ жабу

🇬🇪 მულჩირება

🇦🇿 malçlama

🇲🇽 acolchado

Etymology

The practice of mulching dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks, who used materials like straw and leaves to cover the soil around their crops. Over time, mulching has evolved to include a variety of materials and techniques, all aimed at improving soil health and plant growth. Today, mulching is a widely accepted practice in gardening and agriculture, with a focus on sustainability and environmental benefits.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,060, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.