Mulch does far more than tidy a garden — a good layer locks in soil moisture, suppresses weeds and protects plant roots from heat and cold. At Elite Sand & Soil we supply a range of mulches for every job. Here’s how to choose.
Hardwood Chip Mulch — long-lasting garden cover
Our Hardwood Chip Mulch is a durable mulch made from clean, chipped hardwood timber. Its coarse texture gives excellent coverage and it’s slower to break down than softer mulches, so it needs fewer top-ups.
- Long-lasting weed suppression and moisture retention
- Insulates roots from summer heat and winter cold
- Natural look that suits native and ornamental gardens
Softfall Playground Mulch — certified safe
Our Softfall Mulch is a certified playground-safe mulch made from clean, shredded eucalyptus. It provides a cushioned, impact-absorbing surface under play equipment and meets Australian Standard AS 4422 for playground surfacing.
- Reduces the risk of injury from falls
- Durable eucalyptus — resists breakdown and compaction
- Ideal for schools, childcare centres, public playgrounds and backyard play areas
Elite Eco Mulch — sustainable & economical
Our Elite Eco Mulch is an environmentally friendly mulch made from recycled organic material. It retains soil moisture (reducing watering), regulates soil temperature and suppresses weeds, while breaking down over time to enrich the soil.
- Eco-friendly — produced from recycled, sustainable materials
- Improves soil as it breaks down
- Great value for garden beds, trees, shrubs and larger landscaping
Decorative options
For a decorative finish, we also carry 14mm Pine Bark and a bright White Woodchip for feature gardens.
Which mulch should I use?
- Hardwood Chip — long-lasting cover for garden beds you don’t want to top up often.
- Softfall — under play equipment, where safety matters (AS 4422).
- Eco Mulch — economical, sustainable cover that improves your soil.
- Pine Bark / White Woodchip — decorative finishes for feature areas.
Ordering & delivery
Mulch is available in 20kg bags or 1-tonne bulka bags, or loose — loose pickup from 250kg, delivery from 500kg, 6 days a week across Sydney & Penrith. Not sure how much you need? Mulch is usually spread to a set depth, so quantities depend on your area — call 1300 935 483 and we’ll work it out and give you a delivered price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mulch is best for garden beds?
Hardwood chip mulch is durable and slow to break down, so it needs fewer top-ups. Elite Eco Mulch is a more economical, sustainable option that improves the soil as it breaks down.
Is your playground mulch certified?
Yes. Our Softfall Mulch is certified playground-safe and meets Australian Standard AS 4422 for playground surfacing.
How much mulch do I need?
Mulch is spread to a set depth, so the quantity depends on your area. Call us on 1300 935 483 and we'll work it out and give you a delivered price.
Softfall mulch for playgrounds
If mulch is going under or around play equipment, a general garden mulch is not enough — playground surfacing is assessed against AS/NZS 4422 (impact attenuation) and must be laid at the correct depth for the equipment fall height. Ordinary bark or hardwood chip is not intended as playground softfall.
Our softfall (playground) mulch is a shredded eucalyptus mulch with no sharp fragments, non-toxic and independently tested with no asbestos detected — used at schools, childcare centres, councils and backyard play areas.
Softfall depth and fall-height guide
Lay softfall to match the highest point a child can fall from. As a working guide (always confirm with your playground certifier):
| Free height of fall | Compacted softfall depth |
|---|---|
| Up to 1.5 m | 200 mm |
| Up to 1.8 m | 250 mm |
| Up to 2.0 m | 300 mm |
| Over 2.0 m | 300 mm+ (confirm with your certifier) |
Softfall compacts and breaks down over time, so top it up to keep the depth. As a rough guide, 1 m³ covers about 3.3 m² at 300 mm. For gardens (not playgrounds), our hardwood chip, eco mulch and pine bark are great choices, and we deliver mulch across Penrith and Western Sydney.