How To Use Rock Glue For Gravel Landscaping (And Is It Better Than Mulch Glue?)

Using gravel for landscaping is a popular choice. It helps keep bugs away, meaning your plants are safer from these pests when they are inside a gravel landscaping area. Unfortunately, one disadvantage to this material is that your pea gravel may wash away with heavy rain or when people walk over the same area repeatedly.

You do have some options to try to secure the gravel in place that don't detract from the look of this landscaping material. One option is to use rock glue, which is a clear adhesive specifically formulated to work on rocks and gravel. It creates a bond that allows it to stand up foot traffic without washing away in rough weather. It stands up to erosion problems as well as small pets or wildlife that want to dig it out. If you use pea gravel for a landscape pathway, rock glue keeps it in place as people walk on it. Rock glue allows water and air to pass through, preventing water from pooling on the gravel.

You can purchase a 32-ounce bottle of Petramax rock glue at Amazon for about $34. If pets and kids will have access to the gravel landscaping area where you use the rock glue, you'll want to pick a product that has a non-toxic formula that's safe for them. Learn more about how to use rock glue to hold your gravel landscaping in place and whether it's truly the best option for this type of work.

When discussing the steps for applying rock glue to your gravel landscaping, we'll use the Petramax product as the example. Most rock glue products work in a similar manner. Some have concentrated formulas, though, so you may need to dilute them before use. Always follow the instructions printed on the bottle of the product that you purchase. Before applying the rock glue, make sure the gravel is completely dry. Most rock glue products will not adhere properly if you are using them on wet gravel. Do not apply it when temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

You have two options for application. For areas with high foot traffic, mix the gravel and the rock glue in a bucket and then apply it to your landscaping area. After pouring the two items into the bucket, use a mixer bit attached to a power drill to combine them. Finally, pour the mixture into the location where you want to use it and spread it out while the rock glue is still damp. Leave it alone until it cures and becomes transparent, which can take up to 24 hours.

The other option for areas that receive little foot traffic is to use a hand pump sprayer to apply the rock glue. You'll have to add water to achieve the proper consistency to use in the sprayer. Follow the dilution directions printed on the bottle for this method of application. Spray it over the dry gravel surface, and let it cure.

Mulch glue is another option for holding landscaping materials in place and avoiding erosion. Mulch glue is a water-based adhesive that you'll spray over the top of the landscaping material. It dries to form an invisible bond. It works for materials like pine needles and shredded wood mulch. You also can use mulch glue on landscaping rocks, gravel, and pebbles. You can purchase a 32-ounce bottle of Petramax mulch adhesive for $30.39 at Amazon.

Which is better for holding landscaping gravel in place, rock or mulch glue? Although a lot of similarities between the two products exist, Petramax does not recommend its mulch glue for use over areas with heavy foot traffic or patio furniture. You could use the rock glue in these areas, as long as you mix the rock glue and the gravel in a bucket before applying it to the landscaping layout area. Your application options for Petramax rock and mulch glue are the same. You can apply both types with a sprayer or by mixing the material and the adhesive in a bucket before applying the mixture directly to the desired area.

YouTube creator Sunny Bermuda created a video that showed the results one year after using mulch glue on pea gravel. Sunny Bermuda's review showed that it worked well on gravel in a low-foot traffic area near an air conditioner, staying in place in all kinds of weather. It even stayed in place with a leaf blower in use nearby.