I test out a new-to-me product called Mulch Glue to keep our new pea gravel house border in place.
About a month ago, I showed you how we cleaned up the side of our house by adding a pea gravel border. Before, it was full of weeds, garbage, and broken pavers. A half day of work and $120 later and it was looking cleaner and so much better! You can see the full tutorial and before and after in this blog post.
When I showcased that project, a few people reached out and told me I should try out mulch glue to keep my pea gravel in place. Mulch glue? I had never even heard of such a thing!
It’s used to lock mulch in place so it doesn’t get messy or blow around when you use a leaf blower. A few readers said they used that same product on their pea gravel and it worked. Once I heard that, I knew I would have to try it out for myself.
Mulch is an essential component of any well-maintained garden or landscape. It helps retain moisture prevent weeds and give your yard a polished, finished look. However, keeping mulch neatly in place can be an ongoing battle as it easily scatters with the slightest gust of wind or rainfall.
This is where mulch glue comes in handy! Mulch glue is a liquid adhesive that’s brushed over the top of mulch to hold it together. As it dries, it forms a tacky binder that prevents mulch migration. Commercial mulch glues can cost $20-30 per gallon though. Luckily, with some simple pantry ingredients, you can easily make your own mulch glue at home for just pennies.
In this DIY guide, you’ll learn everything you need to make inexpensive and effective mulch glue using items you likely already have
What is Mulch Glue?
Mulch glue, also referred to as mulch tack or mulch binder, is a liquid adhesive formulated to keep mulch firmly in place. It’s brushed over the top of newly laid mulch. As the glue dries, it adheres the mulch particles together to create a bonded surface.
This prevents the mulch from washing away with heavy rains or blowing into landscape beds and lawn areas. Unsecured mulch easily scatters, leaving unsightly bare patches in garden beds. Mulch glue solves this problem by holding it tightly in place.
Commercial mulch glues utilize synthetic latex polymers and tackifiers to create a durable, water-resistant binder. Homemade mulch glue relies instead on natural starches and gums to provide adhesiveness as the glue dries on top of the mulch.
Benefits of Using Mulch Glue
There are many advantages to using mulch glue in your landscaping:
- Keeps mulch neatly contained for a tidy appearance
- Prevents mulch washout and wind displacement
- Allows longer durations between mulch replenishment
- Helps mulch retain moisture more effectively
- Reduces weed growth by securing mulch barrier
- Creates smooth mulch surfaces ideal for blowing leaves
- Suitable for all mulch types including wood chips, rubber, pine straw etc.
Mulch glue is the secret to maintaining picture-perfect, polished beds and borders all season long. No more fretting over scattering mulch!
Homemade Mulch Glue Recipes
The major perk of homemade mulch glue is cost savings. While commercial products can be $20-30 per gallon, homemade versions use pantry staples costing just pennies. Here are some easy mulch glue recipes:
Simple Flour Glue
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp dish soap (optional)
Cornstarch Glue
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp vinegar
Flour & Sugar Glue
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Clear Flour Glue
- 1 cup flour
- 1 1⁄2 cups water
- 4 tsp vegetable oil
These all rely on starches like flour or cornstarch to create thickness and tackiness when dry. Mix the starch with water, heat to thicken if needed, then let cool before using. Add other minor ingredients for extra stickiness.
Experiment to find your favorite homemade mulch glue recipe. Make big batches and store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Apply Mulch Glue
Applying homemade mulch glue is very simple:
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Ensure mulch is freshly laid and raked smooth.
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Use a paintbrush, roller or spray bottle to apply a light coat of glue over the entire mulch surface.
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Work glue into crevices and focus heavily on edges and perimeter areas.
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Allow 1-3 hours for glue to fully dry. Drying time varies based on humidity.
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Once dry, blow or sweep away any dried glue flakes remaining on top of mulch.
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Reapply glue as needed during the season, especially after heavy rain or winds.
A few thin coats of glue is better than one thick application for maximum adhesion. Let each coat fully dry before adding more. Reapply about once per year or whenever mulch appears loose.
Tips for Effective Mulch Glue
Follow these tips to get the most out of your homemade mulch glue:
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Add food coloring to tint glue if desired. This helps gauge application coverage.
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Water down overly thick glue to allow easier brushing on. Aim for a thin, milky consistency.
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Only apply glue over dry mulch, avoiding use immediately after watering planting beds.
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Expect homemade glue made with flour or cornstarch to last 2-3 months before reapplication is needed.
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Store unused glue in the fridge for 5-7 days maximum. Microwave briefly to reconstitute.
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Promptly wash brushes after use in warm water. Dried glue can be very hard to remove once tacky.
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Avoid getting glue on plant stems or leaves. Focus application only to the top of the mulch layer.
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Apply when no rain or wind is forecast. Storms can displace glue before fully cured.
Common Questions about Mulch Glue
What if I don’t have flour or cornstarch to make glue?
Other options are potato starch, arrowroot, tapioca flour or diluted white wood glue.
Is mulch glue safe for use around pets and kids?
Yes, when dry most homemade mulch glues are non-toxic. Monitor the area during drying.
How long does homemade mulch glue last?
DIY mulch glue lasts approximately 2-3 months before reapplying is needed. Durability depends on weather.
Can mulch glue damage my plants?
It shouldn’t harm plants if applied only to mulch. Avoid puddling glue next to plant bases.
Will mulch glue wash away in heavy rain?
It helps resist normal rains but may displace after extreme weather. Check beds after storms.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of chasing rogue mulch pieces around your landscape, give mulch glue a try this season! Homemade mulch glue lets you tack down mulch affordably using basic pantry items. Just mix up a batch, apply over mulch with a brush or sprayer, and let dry completely.
You’ll find this simple mulch glue trick keeps everything neatly contained, even through wind and rainstorms. With just occasional reapplication, you can finally have the flawless, polished beds you’ve dreamed of, all season long.
Get The Pea Gravel In Place
Before you start spraying it, and locking it in, you’ll want to sweep any pea gravel back in place and make sure there isn’t any garbage or leaves in your rocks. I did a once-over to make sure the pea gravel was just as I wanted it. There were a few footprints here and there, so I used a broom to get it all level and the way I wanted.
I have never used a garden sprayer before, but wow, it’s super easy. You push down on the pump a few times until you feel some resistance and then you start spraying away.
The mulch glue comes out white so it’s easy to see the areas you cover. I did my best to cover every single area with glue.
Wait An Hour Between Coats
Once everything was covered, I waited an hour to put my second coat on. By the time I came back outside to put on the second coat, it was dry and the white milky glue was now clear. Any overspray that got onto the sidewalk or house was invisible too. I felt the rocks with my hands and they were fairly secure, but not completely.
For my second coat, I ended up going a bit thicker with my application to ensure that every single rock was covered with mulch glue.
I was pretty shocked by how well this stuff works! Overall, I’d give it a grade of a B+. If you pick at the gravel, the little stones don’t move! There were a couple of pebbles here and there that didn’t get hit with glue and those were moving around when I ran my hand over them.
But for the most part, the pebbles don’t move! It’s wild! I think this will keep our neighbor’s sidewalk clean and he won’t have to sweep any gravel off anymore.
This is also a great idea if you have kids and they’re constantly digging in the gravel or throwing it. We don’t ever play on that side of the house, but I imagine that would be an issue if we had pea gravel in our backyard!