Mulch is an insulating and protecting material that is placed over the soil in a garden or on a farm. Mulch is formed from natural materials such as bark or leaves.
Mulch works almost magically in a flower or vegetable garden, keeping plants warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Mulch also inhibits the growth of weeds and promotes earthworms to burrow in the soil, which aids in the health of plants. It also helps to keep the land wet by preventing some rainwater from evaporating. Mulch is derived from the Old English molsh, which means "soft and moist."
