Transform Your Garden Naturally: The Power of Chunky Mulch, Sleepers & Sawdust

Garden sleepers can create a wonderful rustic feel to any outdoor space

Whether you’re refreshing your backyard, tackling a new landscaping project, or simply want to boost your garden’s health and appeal, it’s time to look and shop local.

At The Firewood Company, Marlborough, we’re more than just seasoned wood. We also supply chunky mulch, garden sleepers, and sawdust. Natural, sustainable materials that work hard to keep your garden thriving while looking great.

Let’s dig into how each one can transform your outdoor space! From improving soil health to creating stunning, long-lasting garden features.

What Is Chunky Mulch and Why Your Garden Needs It

Chunky mulch (sometimes called coarse mulch) is made from larger wood chips and bark pieces, typically between 20–50mm in size. It’s one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your garden soil and plants all year round.

Top Benefits of Chunky Mulch

The coarse, textured look of chunky mulch gives your garden a natural, landscaped finish. Perfect for paths, garden beds, and around trees.

1. Mulch Retains Moisture Chunky mulch acts like a natural blanket, keeping soil cool and moist during Marlborough’s hot, dry summers. Less watering = healthier plants and lower water bills.

2. Suppresses Weeds Naturally A thick layer (5–10 cm) of mulch blocks sunlight from reaching the soil, reducing weed growth without chemicals.

3. Adds Nutrients as It Breaks Down As the mulch decomposes over time, it enriches your soil with organic matter. This improves structure, drainage, and fertility.

4. Reduces Erosion Chunky mulch protects against heavy rainfall and wind, holding soil in place and preventing runoff.

5. Looks Great All Year Round The coarse, textured look of chunky mulch gives your garden a natural, landscaped finish. Perfect for paths, garden beds, and around trees.

Quick Tip: Replenish mulch every 12–18 months to maintain its protective benefits. For best results, keep mulch 5–10cm away from plant stems and trunks to prevent rot.

Garden Sleepers: Functional, Durable, and Timeless

Garden sleepers are the unsung heroes of New Zealand landscaping. These thick, solid timber slabs are not just practical; they also add a rustic charm and structure to any outdoor space.

At The Firewood Company, we stock macrocarpa sleepers, known for their durability, natural resistance to decay, and beautiful golden tones that weather to a soft silver over time.

Top Uses for Garden Sleepers

Sleepers are perfect for creating raised vegetable or flower beds.

1. Raised Garden Beds Sleepers are perfect for creating raised vegetable or flower beds. They’re sturdy, long-lasting, and make garden maintenance a breeze.

2. Retaining Walls Strong and naturally moisture-resistant, macrocarpa sleepers can be used to hold back soil, create terraces, or define levels in sloped gardens.

3. Garden Borders and Edging Frame paths, define garden zones, or create tidy lawn edges. Garden sleepers add structure and polish to your outdoor area.

4. Outdoor Furniture or Steps Flitch-cut slabs and sleepers can be transformed into rustic bench seats, steps, or outdoor tables. Bringing natural beauty into your living space.

Durability Tip: Macrocarpa sleepers are untreated but naturally durable. For extra longevity, elevate them slightly off damp soil and oil them annually with linseed oil.

Smart Ways to Use Sawdust in Your Garden

Don’t underestimate the humble sawdust! It’s one of the most versatile by-products from local milling. When used correctly, sawdust can improve soil quality, deter pests, and even reduce waste in your garden.

Sustainable Uses for Sawdust:

1. Compost & Soil Conditioner Mix sawdust into your compost heap in small amounts to balance nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps or grass clippings. It improves aeration and breaks down into nutrient-rich organic matter.

2. Weed Control A layer of sawdust spread between garden rows helps suppress weeds. Just ensure you avoid direct contact with plant stems.

3. Pathways & Animal Bedding Sawdust is soft underfoot, making it ideal for garden paths or animal bedding in chicken coops and stables.

4. Absorbing Spills or Muddy Spots Perfect for soaking up oil, paint, or water. Sawdust is a great natural alternative to chemical absorbents.

5. Preventing WeedsSweep between tiles and concrete to prevent weeds from sprouting on and around pathways.  

⚠️ Caution: Fresh sawdust can temporarily deplete nitrogen in the soil. Always mix it with compost or aged manure before adding to garden beds.

Why Choose Local Landscaping Supplies

When you source your mulch, sleepers, and sawdust from a local Marlborough supplier, you’re choosing sustainability and supporting the local economy.

At The Firewood Company, all our landscaping products are locally milled and processed, meaning fewer transport miles, lower emissions, and genuine Kiwi quality.

Our eco landscaping supplies include:

• Chunky mulch (perfect for large garden beds and pathways)

• Macrocarpa sleepers (ideal for raised gardens and features)

• Sawdust (for composting, pathways, or animal bedding)

• Flitch-cut slabs (for outdoor furniture or statement pieces)

Each product is sustainably sourced, affordable, and ready for pickup or delivery across Marlborough.

Quick FAQ

1. What is chunky mulch used for? Chunky mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enrich the soil, making it ideal for NZ gardens.
   

2. What are garden sleepers best for? Garden sleepers are great for raised beds, retaining walls, edging, and rustic outdoor furniture.
   

3. Can sawdust be used in the garden? Yes — sawdust can improve compost, suppress weeds, and create natural pathways, but should be mixed with nitrogen-rich materials.

Ready to Transform Your Garden?

From rich chunky mulch to sturdy garden sleepers and versatile sawdust, The Firewood Company has everything you need to create a sustainable, beautiful garden this season.