Any material, such as straw, sawdust, leaves, plastic film, loose soil, etc., that is spread upon the surface of the soil to protect it and plant roots from the effects of raindrops, soil crusting, freezing, evaporation, etc. multicellular .
(loose soil, etc.; is spread; L:upon the surface of the soil; to protect it and plant roots from the effects of raindrops, soil crusting, freezing, evaporation, etc. multicellular)
loose soil, etc.
is spread
L:upon the surface of the soil to protect it and plant roots from the effects of raindrops, soil crusting, freezing, evaporation, etc. multicellular