Does Watering in the Sun Scorch Grass?

Thatch and Grass Height

• The cushiony layer, called thatch, below your actively growing grass may contribute to scorching. In general, the thatch should only be 1/2 inch thick. A thicker layer, acting as a blanket, creates more heat around the grass blades for possible scorching -- you need to remove heavy layers to improve your turf's growing environment. During the hot summer months, allow your grass to grow taller than 2 inches in height. The shadows cast by the elongated blades cool the turf while providing extra photosynthesis energy for vigorous root growth and establishment.

Salt

• A scorched appearance occurs if the turf has too much salt accumulating in the blades. For example, excessive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers allow salts to build in the grass environment. Much like humans, grass absorbs the salts and expels moisture. As a result, the turf becomes dehydrated with burned blade edges across the yard. To combat this issue, you need to water your lawn to bring a normal equilibrium back to the transpiring leaves, as well as alter your use of turf chemicals for a better grass growing environment.

Environmental Stress

• Water evaporating from the turf is accelerated with concentrated light on the grass blades, such as from sunlight reflecting off a nearby window. Additionally, extremely cold and hot temperature swings increase grass scorching, along with windy conditions. To protect your grass from extreme environmental conditions, sprinkle a thin layer of cut grass across the turf. This acts as a mulch, so air temperatures will not negatively affect the grass, resulting in possible scorching damage.

Proper Irrigation Timing

• Water your grass when it truly needs it, like when it has a bluish hue or visible footprints remaining on the turf. Water in the morning so that the actively growing turf absorbs the moisture before nighttime when pathogens are ready to invade your wet grass blades. Apply the water deeply to encourage the roots to grow further downward -- good root establishment means a greater defense against grass blade scorching. To encourage grass dormancy, apply only about two thirds of the water volume you typically use. The grass remains alive, but dormant, until cooler weather arrives.