There are plenty of other online word games now, but I still play the New York Times Wordle game every day. These days, it's not only an old friend, it's also a nice warm-up for Connections, Strands and the rest. Usually, I can get the Wordle answer in five tries, but sometimes I get stuck and worry that I might lose my streak. If you ever find yourself stumped, check CNET. Our home page always has the answers for Wordle, Connections and Strands.

Here's the Connections answer for today, here's the answer for Strands, and here are the answers for today's Mini Crossword.

Also, we've ranked all the letters in the alphabet by popularity, if you want to use this list to decide on your best start words.

Everyday Wordle tips

I've written a lot about Wordle -- from covering its 1,000th word to my list of the best starter words to a helpful two-step strategy to news about controversial word changes. I've even rounded up what I learned playing the hit online word puzzle for a full year. If you're rethinking your need for the actual answer, you might try tips from one of those stories.

Still need a starter word? One person told me they just look around and choose a five-letter object that they've spotted to use as their starter word -- such as COUCH or CHAIR. I tend to stick to starter words that have the most popular letters used in English words. I like TRAIN as a starter, though I have a friend who uses TRAIL. I've read that people use the financial term ROATE, but I like to use words I actually know.

What is Wordle?

If you read this far, you know how to play. You have six chances to guess a five-letter word, and the game gives you feedback as to whether the letters you've guessed are in the puzzle or not, and if they're in the same spot where you guessed they are. The New York Times bought the game from creator Josh Wardle for seven figures in 2022. Wardle famously created the game for his partner, and let her narrow down the 12,000 five-letter words in the English language to just 2,500, creating the database of answers. It was convenient, too, that he has a name that plays off "word."

A Times spokesperson told me it lists the very first Wordle as appearing on June 19, 2021, and the paper celebrated the game's 1,000th word on March 15. Spoiler: That 1,000th word was ERUPT. As in, "Dad will erupt if the Wordle is so tough he loses his streak."

Today's Wordle hints

Before we show you today's Wordle answer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today's Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

There is one vowel in today's Wordle answer.

Wordle hint No. 3: First letter

Today's Wordle answer starts with the letter M.

Wordle hint No. 4: Gardening

Today's Wordle answer is a well-known word to gardeners.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today's Wordle answer refers to material spread around a plant to help it grow.

TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWER

Today's Wordle answer is MULCH.

Yesterday's Wordle answer

Yesterday's Wordle answer, Aug. 20, No. 1158, was DELAY.

Past Wordle answers

Aug. 16, No. 1154: BRACE

Aug. 17, No. 1155: STORM

Aug. 18, No. 1156: LANKY

Aug. 19, No. 1157: METER