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