As a homeowner, taking care of and maintaining your lawn year-round can be a tough job. However, despite your best efforts to care for your lawn, you may still end up with a few damaged and empty patches here and there.
Two products that can help you repair these patches are Scott’s PatchMaster and EZ Seed. They accomplish the same job, but there are a few differences between them.
Their main difference lies in their ideal application times and areas. For simplicity’s sake, we will be comparing the 10-pound packages of both products. Read on to find out more.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specification | Scotts PatchMaster | Scotts EZ Seed |
| Best Application Time | Fall and Spring | Spring and Early Summer |
| Best Germination Temp. | Between 60F and 80F | Between 60F and 80F |
| Ideal Areas For Application | Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast | Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast |
| Coverage | 290 sq. ft | 225 sq. ft |
| Average Time To Germinate | 7 to 30 days | 5 to 30 days |
| Water Absorption | 3 times its weight in water | 6 times its weight in water |
| Foot Traffic Tolerance | High | Medium |
| Insect Resistance | Medium | None |
| Price | Around $28.99 | Around $47.49 |
Key Differences Between Scotts PatchMaster And EZ Seed
After going through the comparison table, you should now have a fairly good idea about the features and characteristics of the two products.
Now, let’s go a bit more in-depth into the characteristics of the products and really break down and discuss each characteristic separately.
As mentioned before, for simplicity’s sake, we will be comparing the 10-pound packages for both PatchMaster and EZ Seed.
- Best Product Application Time
Both Scott’s PatchMaster and EZ Seed are used to repair and regrow damaged or empty grass patches.
However, they have two distinctly different recommended application times.
Scott’s PatchMaster is best applied in the fall or spring. Usually, in those seasons, the temperature is mild without being too hot or cold.
This helps the product take effect without any issues.
EZ Seed, however, is best applied during the spring or early summer. Although the recommended times are different, the reasons are still the same.
In both of the aforementioned seasons, the temperature is just as recommended for the product, allowing it to maximize its effects.
- Best Germination Temperature
After you have applied either the PatchMaster or the EZ Seed, you have to give it time to germinate and repair your lawn properly.
For both products to germinate properly, they require the temperature to be between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is just right for the products, without being too hot or too cold.
As long as the temperature stays within the recommended range, both products will work exactly as expected and repair your lawn in no time.
- Ideal Areas For Product Application
Both products can be used to repair damaged and empty patches on any lawn, at any place.
However, due to the recommended temperatures for usage for both products, they have different areas where they will be of the best use.
Scott’s PatchMaster is ideal for use in the Northeast, Midwest, or Northwest.
So, if you happen to live in New York, Maine, Illinois, Washington, or any other place that falls within those areas, then for your damaged lawn, you should choose to use PatchMaster.
On the other hand, Scott’s EZ Seed is best used in the Southeast, Midwest, or Southwest. So, if you live in Florida, Kentucky, California, Texas, Iowa, or any other place in one of those areas instead, you should choose EZ Seed.
- Total Coverage Area For Each Product
Both products have a limited area of usage per package. As mentioned before, for simplicity’s sake, we will be comparing the 10-pound packages for both PatchMaster and EZ Seed.
A 10-pound package of Scott’s PatchMaster has a total coverage area of 290 sq. ft. On the other hand, a 10-pound package of Scott’s EZ Seed has a total coverage area of 225 sq. ft.
So, we can see that PatchMaster has a slightly larger area of coverage than EZ Seed.
- Germination Time for Both Products
After using either Scott’s PatchMaster or EZ Seed, you need to allow the seeds to germinate properly before growing into healthy grass in the empty patch. Both products recommend very similar germination periods.
Scott’s PatchMaster has a germination period of between 7 and 30 days. On the other hand, EZ Seed has a germination period of between 5 and 30 days.
The required germination time depends on many external factors. Some of them are the temperature, presence of insects, how often you water the seeds, foot traffic, and many other factors.
In an ideal situation, the seeds should germinate within a week. However, in worst-case scenarios, it could take up to a month.
- Water Absorption Capacity Of The Products
After applying either product to your lawn, you need to then water the seeds accordingly. That way, they can germinate properly and grow into healthy grass in your damaged or empty patches.
Scott’s PatchMaster has a total water absorption capacity of six times its weight in water. This means you can apply water up to six times the weight of the seeds and it will absorb it to keep the seeds moisturized and healthy.
Scott’s EZ Seed, on the other hand, has a total water absorption capacity of six times its weight in water, which is double the capacity of PatchMaster.
This means you can apply six times as much water compared to the weight of the seeds and it can easily absorb it.
- Foot Traffic Tolerance Of The Products
While the seeds of either Scott’s PatchMaster or EZ Seed are germinating in your lawn, they need to be as undisturbed as possible until the process is over.
PatchMaster has a high foot traffic tolerance, so it has a high resistance to the disturbance caused by people walking over the germinating patch.
However, EZ Seed has a medium foot traffic tolerance, so it can only resist a moderate amount of disturbance.
In either case, you should try to limit the foot traffic near the area as much as possible until the process is complete.
- Insect Resistance Of The Products
Most lawns are home to a plethora of different insects and bugs. Some of them are harmless, but some do cause damage to your lawns.
Scott’s PatchMaster has a medium resistance to any damage caused by insects. But EZ Seed has no resistance against bugs and insects.
In both cases, you should take proper precautions against potential insect damage. However, if you use EZ Seed, you must exercise greater caution.
- Price Of The Products
The last and one of the most important factors to consider is the price. The price of a 10-pound package of Scott’s PatchMaster is sold for $28.99. On the other hand, a 10-pound bottle of Scott’s EZ Seed will set you back $47.49.
Consider the prices carefully before making your final choice.
Which Product Should You Choose?
Both PatchMaster and EZ Seed are made by the same company and accomplish the same job. After careful analysis, we can come to the following conclusions:
If you live in the Northeast or Northwest, you should choose PatchMaster. If you live in the Southeast or Southwest, choose EZ Seed. If you live in the Midwest, you can pick either one of the two.
If you want a product that covers more area and is more resistant to external factors, choose PatchMaster. If you want a product that is more water-absorbent and germinates faster, choose EZ Seed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are some frequently asked questions about PatchMaster and EZ Seed and their answers.
Scott’s PatchMaster has an average germinating time of between 7 and 30 days.
Scott’s PatchMaster grows bright green, medium to fine grass.
Scott’s PatchMaster can help feed seedlings for up to 6 weeks.
Yes, Scott’s EZ Seed can be used for overseeding.
Final Thoughts
Lawns can be fragile and require regular and consistent maintenance and care. Even with all the care in the world, lawns can still get damaged due to various reasons.
The aforementioned products can easily repair that damage with proper usage.
Hopefully, this article on Scott’s PatchMaster Vs. EZ Seed helped you gain the necessary information required to buy the one that is best for your lawn.
I live in northern California and just applied Patchmaster since EZ seed didn’t work last year.
I had to raise the bare spots in my lawn with a few bags of topsoil, and then worked the Patchmaster product in with my new soil. Should I have used EZ seed
Or a better question since I just did this yesterday, should I buy EZ seed and throw it on top of what I already had done with Patchmaster?