Will Mulch Glue Prevent Weeds In Your Gravel? Here's What We Know
If you have ever taken a leaf blower to pea gravel, lava rocks, bark mulch, or similar garden materials, you'll understand why mulch glue is so popular for keeping them in place. Most of these products are safe to use, easy to apply, invisible when dry, and very effective. Okay, mulch glue isn't specifically designed to prevent weeds in your gravel, but if it keeps it in place through wind and rain and being walked on by pets and people, maybe it will stop those pesky seeds from germinating in the cracks. We set out to find the answer.
Mulch and rock bond manufacturer Landscape Loc says that while their Mulch and Rock Bond "is not designed to prevent weeds, the strong bond it creates may help to deter them." YouTuber @SunnyBermuda found that although some seeds did set in the gravel surface, at least they were easy to remove. It's worth pointing out that in terms of preventing movement and how often it had to be applied, he was very satisfied with his mulch glue.
Why results vary and what to do instead
The challenge with mulch glue as a weed barrier is that it doesn't create an impermeable layer. Weeds already in the ground can grow up through, and, in reverse, wind-blown seeds can find their way down through the gaps. It may reduce the number of weeds, but it can't prevent them entirely.
One of the most popular tricks for preventing weeds in gravel is to lay landscape fabric underneath. In fact, in the video, @SunnyBermuda says he used some under his pea gravel. However, while it can be effective at stopping weeds in the ground from emerging, it still can't stop a few from sprouting on the surface. Rogue weeds can be tackled with a variety of natural weed killers. But, when keeping your yard safe for kids and pets, sadly, the only surefire way to keep gravel weed-free is to keep pulling them up every time you see them.
If you'd like to try mulch glue, you can start with a gallon of Landscape Loc Mulch and Rock Bond. You can also DIY mulch glue, which may be equally effective, but the types of glue recommended are often no cheaper than the commercial alternative.