Bark & Mulch: Picking the right barks and mulches for New Zealand Gardens
A practical layer of mulch is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to any garden. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, and improves the look of beds and paths. Central Landscape Supplies stocks a broad range of mulches and barks — designer black mulches, natural wood chips, graded bark, playground-certified surfacing and garden-friendly pea straw. Below is an in-depth guide to every product in their Mulches & Bark collection, with tips for choosing and applying each type.
Black Decorative Mulch
Black Decorative Mulch is a top choice for homeowners and landscape professionals who want a dramatic, low-maintenance garden finish. Made from recycled, untreated wood chip and coloured using a safe, natural dye, black decorative mulch gives beds a professional, contemporary look that emphasises plant foliage and brightens paved areas by contrast. Applied at a depth of 50–100 mm, it reduces weed germination, retains moisture in summer and insulates roots through cooler months — all great benefits for typical Auckland and Waikato summers and mild winters.
Beyond aesthetics, black decorative mulch is useful where you want a bold design statement: contrast it with silver-toned grasses, lime green ferns or lighter-coloured pebbles for high visual impact. Because it’s produced from untreated wood, it breaks down naturally over time and contributes to soil organic matter. Regularly topping up once a year keeps the colour and coverage looking sharp, while keeping mulch a few centimetres from trunks reduces risk of collar rot.
Shop now for Black Decorative Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Premium Black Mulch
Premium Black Mulch combines the visual appeal of black-dyed wood chip with the soil-building advantages of added compost. This product is ideal for garden beds where you want both a designer finish and ongoing soil improvement. The compost component slowly releases nutrients as the mulch decomposes, reducing the need for frequent fertiliser applications and supporting healthy root development for shrubs, perennials and feature plants.
Apply Premium Black Mulch at 50–100 mm around established plantings and use it where longevity and improved soil structure matter — for example around specimen shrubs or in mixed perennial borders. It’s particularly useful for suburban gardens where moisture retention and weed reduction reduce maintenance time. Like all coloured mulches, retain a small gap between the mulch and stems to prevent moisture-related issues, and plan for an annual top-up to retain the neat black finish.
Shop now for Premium Black Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Forest Floor Mulch
Forest Floor Mulch is the go-to if you want a natural, woodland look that blends with native plantings or informal cottage gardens. It’s a coarser, rustic mulch that imitates the organic layer you’d find under trees in a forest — ideal for planting under ponga, in native planting schemes, or wherever a low-key, natural aesthetic is preferred.
Functionally it’s no different to other organic mulches: it conserves moisture, suppresses weeds and moderates soil temperatures. Use it liberally under canopy shade where you want to keep lines loose and natural. For revegetation, restoration planting or large-scale replanting projects, Forest Floor Mulch is a cost-effective, environmentally sympathetic option that complements native root systems, allowing moisture to penetrate while slowing surface evaporation.
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Arborist Mulch
Arborist Mulch is a robust, coarse-textured option commonly used beneath large trees and in zones requiring a durable surface. Often produced from larger branches and root wood processed by arborists, this mulch decomposes more slowly than finer chips and provides long-lasting protection for root zones. It’s a practical choice for public planting areas, street trees and garden sections with occasional foot traffic.
Because it’s coarser, arborist mulch helps with aeration around root collars while still suppressing surface weeds. Lay a generous layer — typically 75–100 mm — but leave space around the tree trunk to avoid creating a ‘mulch volcano’. Tree-friendly maintenance and occasional top-ups every two or three years will keep the area tidy and healthy without frequent reapplications.
Reharvest Natural Mulch
Reharvest Natural Mulch is a recycled wood chip designed for gardeners who prefer an untreated, dye-free mulch. Because it’s natural in tone it works well with native plant palettes and ecological planting schemes where minimal visual interference is desired. Reharvest mulches are also a sensible budget option for covering large areas, paths or restoration projects.
The Reharvest range is valued for its environmental credentials — it recycles green waste and reduces timber going to landfill. Use Reharvest Natural Mulch to supress weeds, prevent soil crusting and conserve moisture around newly planted rows, hedging or mass-planting zones. As with other organic mulches, add a thin fertiliser layer or a handful of sheep pellets under the mulch near desirable plants if you want to support early growth while the mulch begins to breakdown.
Shop now for Reharvest Natural Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Reharvest Enviromulch Red
Reharvest Enviromulch Red introduces a warm, red tone to garden beds while retaining the sustainability attributes of a recycled wood chip product. The red dye is applied using safe, natural colourants so it’s suitable for ornamental gardens, courtyards and feature beds where you want the planting to pop against a warm backdrop.
Designer-coloured mulches like Enviromulch Red are perfect for complementing brickwork, terracotta pots or plants with bronze foliage. Besides the visual appeal, the product offers all the usual mulch benefits — moisture retention, weed suppression and soil temperature moderation. Consider using it in focused design areas and topping up annually to keep the colour rich and uniform across beds.
Shop now for Reharvest Enviromulch Red on Central Landscape Supplies
Motu Mulch
Motu Mulch is a versatile garden mulch that suits a wide range of garden styles and budgets. Marketed for general garden use, Motu Mulch offers a balance between cost and performance — it provides good weed suppression and moisture conservation while keeping maintenance requirements low.
Because the product is positioned as an all-rounder, it’s ideal for mixed borders, shrub beds and areas where you want consistent coverage without the premium price. Apply 50–100 mm and allow for periodic top-ups as the material gradually breaks down. Motu Mulch is a practical option for larger suburban sites where you want decent performance without constantly topping up premium decorative mulches.
Shop now for Motu Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Myco Mulch
Myco Mulch takes a slightly different approach by focusing on soil biology as well as the usual mulching benefits. The product name suggests an emphasis on mycorrhizal (beneficial fungi) support — which helps root systems access water and nutrients more efficiently. For gardeners working on restoration planting, permaculture beds or high-performance ornamental zones, a biologically-minded mulch can be a valuable part of the planting strategy.
Use Myco Mulch around higher-value plantings where encouraging a thriving soil ecosystem matters — for example around fruit trees, herbaceous borders or newly established hedges. The mulch still performs well at weed suppression and moisture retention, but its extra benefit is the focus on encouraging favourable soil fungal networks that support long-term plant health.
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Mulch Max
Mulch Max is targeted at gardeners who want a more durable mulch solution — whether that’s for larger beds, hedging lines or areas where less frequent reapplication is desirable. Often formulated to give greater longevity, Mulch Max typically contains coarser particles that break down more slowly than fine mulches.
For commercial sites, rental properties, or busy household gardens where time is at a premium, Mulch Max provides a “set-and-forget” feel while still offering moisture retention and weed control. It’s sensible to use Mulch Max in combination with a quality ground-preparation step (weed control fabric or pre-emergent) where appropriate, depending on the garden’s weed pressure.
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Bark Mulch
Bark Mulch is the classic garden finish: coarse chunks of pine or other treated-free bark that give beds a natural, rustic look. Bark is particularly suited to large canopy trees, shrub borders and cottage-style plantings. Because bark is coarser, it tends to last longer and break down more slowly than fine wood chips — making it a cost-effective long-term option.
Use bark mulch to build up a natural-looking layer that complements native planting or informal landscaping. It’s especially useful under larger shrubs and trees where a coarser texture looks appropriate. If you prefer a neat finish around perennials, consider combining bark mulch with a finer topper such as bark fines for a tidy edge.
Shop now for Bark Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Bark Fines
Bark Fines are a fine-textured mulch ideal for finishing touches and tidy planting areas. Because they are smaller particles than coarse bark, they provide a smoother surface and are particularly useful around perennials, smaller shrubs and in formal garden beds where a neat, consistent look is required.
Bark fines settle compactly and create a refined finish that can highlight low-growing foliage and groundcovers. They can also be mixed with coarser bark to achieve a balance of longevity and neatness. Bear in mind that finer materials tend to decompose faster, so they may require more frequent topping up than coarse bark.
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Bark No.3
Bark No.3 is a versatile mix made from 10–25 mm bark nuggets combined with fine shreds. It’s an excellent choice for garden beds where you want good coverage and visual consistency. The mid-range sizing provides a balance between quick ground coverage and reasonable longevity before breakdown.
Gardeners like Bark No.3 for borders, pathways and planting zones where a uniform natural look is desired. Because it contains a mix of nugget and fine shred, it covers quickly while still allowing water to penetrate and air to reach soil. For best results, apply a layer of organic fertiliser or slow-release feed under the mulch to support plant health as the material slowly decomposes.
Shop now for Bark No.3 on Central Landscape Supplies
Bark No.4
Bark No.4 is composed of medium-sized 15–25 mm pine bark nuggets, milled to size. It’s an ideal garden mulch where you want slightly larger particles for longevity and a textured appearance. Because it’s a medium grade, it’s good for both ornamental beds and practical landscaping zones.
Use Bark No.4 where you want a durable finish that still looks natural. It’s suitable for both home gardens and larger commercial sites, especially in areas around larger shrubs and established plantings. The coarser particles deter wind displacement and reduce the frequency of topping up, which is handy for busy homeowners.
Shop now for Bark No.4 on Central Landscape Supplies
Bark No.5
Bark No.5 is the coarsest grade in the bark range. It’s made for utility zones, playground surrounds, and planting under large trees where a substantial, long-lasting surface is desired. The size of the chips means slower decomposition and less frequent maintenance compared with finer mulches.
Use Bark No.5 where you want to build a long-term, natural surface that resists compaction and remains effective year after year. It’s particularly suited to rural plantings, tree pits, and areas where a rugged finish is preferred. As always, avoid piling mulch against trunks and stems; instead keep a clear space to maintain good tree health.
Shop now for Bark No.5 on Central Landscape Supplies
Bark No.4 Greenfingers (Playground Certified)
Bark No.4 Greenfingers is a specialised bark product certified for playground use — ideal for school playgrounds, daycare centres and domestic play areas. Playground-certified bark is processed to meet impact attenuation standards, offering a safer surface under play equipment while still delivering the water retention and weed suppression benefits of natural bark.
When specifying surfacing for play areas, always confirm the certification requirements relevant to your project. Greenfingers Bark No.4 combines safety compliance with a natural look, making it an attractive choice where safety and aesthetics are equally important. Installation depth and maintenance will determine its ongoing performance, so follow the product guidance for fall-height protection.
Shop now for Bark No.4 Greenfingers on Central Landscape Supplies
Reharvest Cushionfall® Certified Playground Mulch
Reharvest Cushionfall® Playground Mulch is a certified playground mulch engineered to provide impact attenuation and safety for play zones while also being made from recycled material. The Reharvest process focuses on reusing green waste, meaning you get a certified, eco-friendly surfacing solution that’s kinder to the planet than virgin timber products.
This product is suited to larger playground installations where both safety performance and sustainability are priorities. Install to the recommended depth for fall protection and maintain an even surface to keep impact resilience at the required level. Reharvest Cushionfall® is a popular choice with councils, schools and childcare centres seeking an environmentally responsible certified surfacing option.
Shop now for Reharvest Cushionfall® on Central Landscape Supplies
GoodFall Eco Certified Playground Mulch
GoodFall Eco Playground Mulch is another certified playground mulch that offers impact attenuation in play areas with an emphasis on environmental credentials. Designed to meet playground safety standards, GoodFall Eco is used in schools, parks and residential play spaces where certifiable fall protection is needed without sacrificing sustainability.
GoodFall Eco is part of Central’s certified playground range and is useful wherever safety compliance and a natural aesthetic are both required. Regular inspections and top-ups will help maintain the protective properties. It’s always best practice to follow the supplier’s installation depth guidance to meet the required fall-height criteria for specific equipment.
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SoftFall Certified Playground Mulch
SoftFall Certified Playground Mulch is a well-known certified surfacing material designed for impact protection in play environments. It’s engineered to reduce injury risk on fall and is widely specified by councils and institutions for play spaces. SoftFall is a reliable choice for new playground installations or upgrades where certifiable surface performance matters.
As with other certified surfacing products, proper installation depth and ongoing maintenance are key to maintaining performance. Keep the surface level and replace material where compaction or displacement has occurred. SoftFall’s certification gives peace of mind when designing play areas with specific fall-height requirements.
Shop now for SoftFall Certified Playground Mulch on Central Landscape Supplies
Somerset Pea Straw & Lucerne
Somerset Pea Straw & Lucerne is an excellent organic mulch for vegetable gardens, raised beds and areas where you want a lighter, fibrous cover that breaks down relatively quickly to feed the soil. Pea straw and lucerne are both valued for organic matter and are ideal for seasonally planted beds — they suppress weed germination while adding carbon and some residual nitrogen to the soil as they decompose.
Pea straw is commonly used in kitchen gardens because it’s gentle on seedlings (less abrasive than wood chip) and can be pulled back easily for planting. Lucerne adds a richer structure and can encourage beneficial soil organisms. Because these materials decompose faster than wood-based mulches, plan to add fresh material or compost annually to keep moisture levels and weed suppression adequate throughout the growing season.
Shop now for Somerset Pea Straw & Lucerne on Central Landscape Supplies
Pea Straw Bale
Pea Straw Bale is a practical, portable option for gardeners wanting to quickly cover beds, pathways or to create temporary mulched aisles between rows. The bales provide immediate weed suppression and moisture conservation and are easy to handle, making them useful for community gardens, temporary displays or seasonal vegetable plots.
Because pea straw breaks down relatively quickly, it’s a great choice where you want fast improvement in soil organic matter. Spread the straw loosely to avoid smothering small plants and fork it through to speed decomposition when preparing beds for the next season. Pea straw is pet- and child-friendly and is often used in conjunction with a light top-dressing of compost when preparing permanent beds.
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Pea Straw — 6 kg Bag
The 6 kg bag of pea straw is perfect for smaller gardens, potted beds, or targeted mulching around seedlings and small plantings. The convenience of a bagged product makes it easy to store and apply just what you need without buying a whole bale. It’s especially handy for urban gardens and raised planter boxes where you want a tidy, manageable quantity of straw.
Use bagged pea straw to mulch vegetable beds, protect root crops over winter, or as a tidy top-up for established patches of strawberries and herbs. It’s lightweight, easy to distribute and removes or mixes into the soil readily at the end of a season.
Shop now for Pea Straw Bags on Central Landscape Supplies