I try Mulch Glue, a new product to me, to keep our new pea gravel house border in place.
A month ago, I showed you how we fixed up the side of our house by putting in a pea gravel curb. Before, it was full of weeds, garbage, and broken pavers. This blog post has the full tutorial and a before and after picture. It took half a day of work and $120, but it looked so much better and cleaner!
Some people told me I should try mulch glue to keep my pea gravel in place after I showed that project. Mulch glue? I had never even heard of such a thing!.
People use it to keep mulch in place so it doesn’t move around when they blow leaves around. 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 a critical component for any garden or landscape It helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and give your yard a tidy appearance. However, keeping mulch in place can be a constant battle as it easily blows or washes away. That’s where mulch glue comes in!
Mulch glue is an adhesive product designed to hold mulch firmly in place. Commercial mulch glues can be expensive though. With a simple homemade recipe, you can make your own mulch glue for a fraction of the cost.
In this guide we’ll cover everything you need to know to make inexpensive and effective DIY mulch glue right at home.
What is Mulch Glue?
Mulch glue, also called mulch tack or mulch binder, is a liquid adhesive that is brushed onto the edges of mulch to hold it together As it dries, it forms a thin binder that keeps mulch from shifting around
This helps the mulch retain its appearance and function for much longer. Without mulch glue, mulch can easily wash away during rains or get displaced by wind. Mulch glue solves this problem!
Commercial mulch glues are latex-based or contain other synthetic ingredients. But homemade mulch glue relies on natural starches and gums to create bonding power when dry.
Benefits of Using Mulch Glue
There are a number of benefits that mulch glue provides:
- Holds mulch in place for a tidier, uniform appearance
- Prevents mulch migration that causes bare spots
- Reduces the need for frequent mulch replacement/touch-ups
- Helps mulch retain moisture more effectively
- Cuts down on weed growth by keeping mulch contained
- Can be used to tack down loose edges along landscape beds
- Creates smooth mulch surfaces that are ideal for leaf blowing
Mulch glue is useful for all types of mulches including wood chips, pine straw, rubber mulch, and more. It’s a simple solution for keeping your landscaping looking neat and orderly.
Homemade Mulch Glue Recipes
One of the major benefits of homemade mulch glue is cost savings. Commercial products can run $20-30 per gallon. With ingredients you likely have in your pantry, homemade versions cost just pennies per gallon!
Here are a few different recipes you can whip up:
Simple Flour & Water Glue
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp dish soap (optional)
Mix flour and water in a saucepan. Heat to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Add dish soap and stir; let cool.
Cornstarch & Vinegar Glue
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch into water. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Cool before using.
Flour & Sugar Glue
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
In a saucepan, combine flour, sugar and water. Heat on medium, stirring frequently. Once glue thickens, remove from heat and let cool.
Clear Flour Glue
- 1 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 4 tsp vegetable oil
Mix flour and 1/2 cup water in saucepan until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring constantly. Add oil and heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool before using.
Experiment with recipes to find your favorite homemade mulch glue. The basic formula combines a starchy thickness agent (flour, cornstarch) with a liquid, plus sometimes an extra ingredient for tackiness.
How to Apply Mulch Glue
Applying DIY mulch glue is a simple process:
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Spread fresh mulch if needed to achieve your desired depth. Rake smooth.
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Use a paintbrush, roller or spray bottle to apply a thin, even coating of mulch glue on top of the mulch.
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Work the glue down into the mulch, focusing on crevices and edges. Pay extra attention to perimeters.
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Let the glue dry completely. Drying time depends on humidity and glue thickness but is usually 1-3 hours.
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Once dry, the mulch will be bonded. Blow or rake off any residual glue flakes on top.
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Reapply glue as needed, such as after heavy wind or rain. Lightly disturb and smooth mulch first.
Tips for Effective Mulch Glue
Follow these tips to get the most out of your homemade mulch glue:
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Add a few drops of food coloring to tint your glue if desired. This helps gauge coverage.
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Water down thick glue to make it easier to brush on. Aim for a thin, milky consistency.
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Apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat for better adhesion.
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Glue bonds best on dry mulch. Avoid using immediately after watering.
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Reapply glue whenever mulch looks loose, about once per year or after extreme weather.
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Store unused glue in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Microwave briefly to reconstitute.
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Clean brushes promptly after use with warm water. Dried glue is very difficult to remove.
Common Questions About Mulch Glue
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What can I use if I don’t have flour or cornstarch?
Other starches like arrowroot, tapioca flour, or potato starch can also be used. Or make glue using white wood glue diluted with water.
How long does homemade mulch glue last?
Expect homemade mulch glue made with flour or cornstarch to remain tacky for 2-3 months. Reapplication will be needed approximately every season.
Is mulch glue safe for pets?
Yes, homemade mulch glue recipes are non-toxic when dry. Make sure pets don’t ingest large amounts while wet. Monitor the area until fully dried.
Can mulch glue harm my plants?
Mulch glue should not harm plants when applied correctly to just the mulch surface. Avoid allowing glue to pool deeply next to bases of plants.
Will mulch glue wash away in rain?
Mulch glue helps mulch resist normal rainfall. Heavy downpours may displace some glue so checkafter storms. Reapply to any areas where mulch lifted.
Get Gluing!
If washouts and wind storms constantly leave your mulch in disarray, give mulch glue a try! Homemade versions allow you to tack down mulch affordably and with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Test out a few different glue recipes to discover your favorite. Apply it using a paintbrush or spray bottle, focusing on edges and crevices. Allow time to dry completely before disturbing the area.
You’ll find that a periodic coating of mulch glue keeps everything neatly in place even through heavy rains and wind, while costing you just pennies.
With this simple mulch glue trick, you can cut down on landscape maintenance and finally have the tidy, polished yard you’ve always wanted. No more fretting about mulch scattered far and wide – just smooth borders and a picture perfect landscape.
Get The Pea Gravel In Place
Make sure there is no trash or leaves in the rocks before you start spraying it and locking it in. You should also sweep any pea gravel back into place. I did a once-over to make sure the pea gravel was just as I wanted it. I used a broom to make it all level and the way I wanted it.
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. The white milky glue was no longer milky when I went back outside to put on the second coat. It was dry. 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.
After putting on my second coat, I went a little thicker to make sure that mulch glue covered every rock.
It’s pretty amazing how well this stuff works! I’d give it a B overall. You can pick at the gravel and the little stones won’t move! There were a few pebbles that didn’t get glued down, and when I ran my hand over them, they moved around.
But the pebbles don’t move around much! It’s crazy! I think this will keep our neighbor’s sidewalk clean, since he won’t have to sweep the gravel off as often.
Also, this is a great idea if you have kids who are always throwing or digging in the gravel. We don’t play on that side of the house, but I can see how that would be a problem if our backyard had pea gravel!