If you're buying garden mulch, you may have come across both fresh mulch and aged mulch and wondered what the difference actually is.
Both are made from trees, branches and other woody material that has been processed through a wood chipper. The main difference is what happens to the mulch after it has been chipped.
Fresh mulch can be used successfully in many situations, but for residential gardens and landscaping we prefer supplying aged arborist mulch. It has already had time to begin breaking down, settle and become a more consistent product before it arrives at your property.
At Canterbury Mulch Delivery, our arborist mulch is aged and turned for a minimum of eight weeks before delivery throughout Christchurch and Canterbury.
If you're new to mulching, our complete guide to garden mulch in Christchurch covers the main benefits of mulch and how it can be used around your property.
What Is Fresh Mulch?
Fresh mulch is arborist material that has been chipped recently and used without going through an ageing process first.
Depending on the tree material that went through the chipper, fresh arborist mulch can contain a mixture of:
- Wood chips
- Bark
- Small branches and twigs
- Leaves and other green material
Freshly chipped material is at an earlier stage of decomposition.
When large amounts of fresh mulch are stored together, the pile can become warm as microorganisms begin breaking down the material. Fresh mulch can also be rougher, more variable in texture and settle noticeably after it has been spread.
For pathways, larger areas or situations where appearance and consistency aren't as important, fresh mulch can still be a useful option.
What Is Aged Mulch?
Aged mulch is arborist mulch that has been stored for a period of time before being delivered or applied to the garden.
Our mulch is aged and turned for a minimum of eight weeks. During this time, the natural decomposition process has already started and the material begins to settle.
This produces the aged, forest-floor style mulch that we supply for garden beds, trees, landscaping projects, lifestyle blocks and other properties throughout Canterbury.
You can see our available load sizes and order aged garden mulch online.
Fresh Mulch vs Aged Mulch
The biggest differences are generally the stage of decomposition, consistency and ease of handling.
| Fresh Mulch | Aged Mulch |
|---|---|
| Recently chipped | Aged and allowed to begin decomposing |
| Can be warmer when stored in a pile | More settled before delivery |
| Often rougher and more variable | Generally softer and more consistent |
| Can settle considerably after spreading | Initial settling has already occurred |
| Suitable for paths | Well suited to residential gardens and landscaping |
| Decomposition is only just beginning | Decomposition is already underway |
Both fresh and aged wood-chip mulch can provide useful benefits when applied correctly. For us, aged mulch provides a superior well rounded product.
Why Do We Age Our Mulch?
We age our mulch because we think it makes a better product for the type of customers we normally supply.
More Settled Before Delivery
Freshly chipped material can change considerably as it begins breaking down.
By allowing our mulch to age before delivery, some of this initial decomposition and settling has already taken place.
Easier to Spread
Aged arborist mulch becomes softer and more consistent as it starts breaking down.
This makes it easier to move with a wheelbarrow and spread around garden beds with a rake.
Less Active Than a Fresh Mulch Pile
Large piles of freshly chipped woody material can generate heat as decomposition gets underway.
Ageing and regularly turning our mulch gives this process time to begin before the mulch reaches your garden.
Natural Forest-Floor Appearance
Arborist mulch isn't designed to look like perfectly uniform decorative bark.
It contains different-sized wood chips, bark and organic material, giving it a more natural appearance that gradually changes as it breaks down.
Organic Matter Returned to the Soil
Like other organic mulches, arborist mulch slowly decomposes after it has been spread.
Over time, this organic material becomes incorporated into the upper layers of the soil and helps build a more natural soil environment.
Is Aged Mulch Better for Christchurch Gardens?
For the type of mulch we supply, we believe aged arborist mulch is a great option for Christchurch and Canterbury gardens.
Canterbury properties regularly experience dry summer conditions, wind, frosts and periods where garden soil can lose moisture quickly.
A good layer of organic mulch helps cover and protect the soil, reducing evaporation, suppressing weed growth and moderating soil temperature.
If you want to learn more about where we deliver, see our guide to garden mulch delivery across Christchurch and Canterbury
How Thick Should Aged Mulch Be?
For most new garden beds, we generally recommend applying mulch at around 75–100mm deep.
Before spreading:
- Remove established weeds
- Water dry soil
- Spread the mulch evenly
- Keep mulch away from plant stems
- Avoid piling mulch directly against tree trunks
We've put together a separate guide explaining how to apply garden mulch correctly
When you're mulching established trees, it's also worth reading our guide on how to lay mulch around trees particularly to avoid piling mulch against the trunk.
How Much Mulch Do I Need?
The amount of mulch you need depends on the total area you're covering and how deep you plan to spread it.
As a simple example, 1m³ covers approximately 10m² at a depth of 100mm.
Rather than trying to work it out manually, enter your garden measurements into our mulch calculator. It calculates the cubic meters required and recommends the most suitable available load size.
Fresh or Aged Mulch – Which Should You Choose?
Fresh mulch isn't automatically bad, and it can work perfectly well when used in the right situation.
For garden beds, landscaping, trees and residential properties, aged arborist mulch is superior because it has already had time to begin decomposing and settling before delivery.
That's why all garden mulch supplied by Canterbury Mulch Delivery is aged and regularly turned for a minimum of eight weeks.
We currently offer 2m³, 4m³, 6m³ and 8m³ loads, delivered directly to properties throughout Christchurch and surrounding Canterbury areas.
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