How to Grow Grass in the Sun

Grass, like most plants, requires light to grow. Many hours of hot sunlight per day may take a toll if grass is not cared for properly, however. Sun tolerance also depends on the type of grass you are growing. Bermuda or centipede grass, for example, usually tolerate excessive sunlight and do not do well in shade. Fescue enjoys sunlight but easily turns brown when the sun becomes most intense on the hottest days of summer. You can more successfully grow most kinds of grass in sun, keeping it green longer, if you follow some basic rules.

Sprinkler
Rain gauge
Coffee can
Grass fertilizer
Mower

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a sprinkler, if you don't already have a sprinkler system. If you choose a sprinkler that provides the largest coverage at one time, you'll avoid having to go out to move it to other areas of the lawn.
- 2
  Place a rain gauge or coffee can on the lawn to catch water. This will help you determine when you've watered enough. Most grasses require at least an inch of water per week -- more frequently during hot summers -- to remain green.
- 3
  Water grass in the morning, before the heat of the afternoon, to avoid scorching. Avoid watering at night, when water may remain on the blades of grass and promote fungal diseases.
- 4
  Fertilize the lawn in the late summer and early autumn, rather than the spring. Fertilizing in the spring promotes a lot of early green growth, which will deplete some of the grass's energy reserves. This depletion may make it less likely to tolerate the heat and dryness of the coming summer.
- 5
  Mow grass at the highest height recommended for the particular kind of grass you have. Mowing grass too short during hot summer days means it will dry out faster and the sun's rays may scorch the grass below the leaf blades to the crowns. In addition, use sharp mower blades and avoiding mowing grass that has gone dormant and turned brown.

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