Does Watering Grass in the Sun Burn It?

There are many conflicting opinions when it comes to lawn care. The problem is that some of them can cause more harm than good. This article will dive into the following question: does watering grass in the sun burn it?

No, watering your grass in the sun will NOT burn it. I don’t know who came up with this idea – but it’s false. The idea behind this concept is that the sun will reflect off wet grass blades and burn your lawn.

Where did this Idea Come From?

I believe this theory came from starting a fire with a magnifying glass. If you’re unfamiliar with this process, basically a magnifying glass can create a flame by using heat from the sun, when weather conditions are ideal.

The science behind it is above my level of expertise, but it all relates to photons. These are particles that move visible light from the sun to earth. By using a tool (like a magnifying glass) photons are narrowed down to a small point.

This creates a concentration of heat that can reach high temperatures on whatever the magnifying glass is focused on. And because it can narrow down on such a small surface area, it’s possible to start a fire with proper kindling.

Nature Proves this Theory Wrong

The truth is that it rains during the day in many hot climates. Let’s use Florida as an example. Some places in Florida experience afternoon thunderstorms on a daily basis. Clouds roll in and the rain will last for 15-20 minutes.

This isn’t a long period of rain by any means. In fact, the sun will come back out shortly after. Now think about all of that wet grass with the sun shining down on it. That would mean all of this grass would get burned, right? Wrong.

We all know this isn’t the case. There’s plenty of green lawns in Florida even with midday rain. The truth is, regular irrigation helps prevent grass from burning – not create it.

When is the Best Time to Water Grass?

It should come as no surprise that a healthy lawn needs water. The best time to water is in the morning, between 6am and 10am. You can water later in the day, however, it can create more problems for your lawn.

• Morning – So, why are mornings the best time for irrigation? Providing grass roots with sufficient water is important before the sun exposure gets too hot. Soil will receive enough water and whatever is leftover on the grass will evaporate.
• Midday – It’s possible to water your lawn in the middle of the day, but it’s not very efficient. Sunlight is much stronger during this time and it will evaporate from the surface too quickly. As a result, soil below the grass roots will not be supplied with enough water.
• Night – This is by far the worst time to water grass. You might think that a lack of sunlight will create better conditions, but it can actually be harmful. Water will sit on the surface and won’t evaporate for 8-10 hours, which will create to disease.

How Long to Water Lawn in Hot Weather

Most grass types require 1″-1.5″ of water once a week. In some places you might have enough rain to cover this amount, but dry climates require manual watering with the help of sprinklers.

This amount translates to 30 to 40 minutes of watering with automatic irrigation systems. Purdue recommends to avoid watering based on a schedule. As a schedule doesn’t factor in natural rainfall, which can lead to over-watering.

The fact is that most grass doesn’t require manual watering throughout the year. You really don’t need to turn on your sprinklers until you see signs of stress. Dormant spots, brown, and yellow grass can be revived with consistent watering.

There are also different approaches you can take when it comes to irrigation. Some people water after mowing, while others separate the two. Watering a higher amount less frequently tends to work better – as over-saturating the lawn helps when water evaporates.

Can Grass Seed Burn in the Sun?

Grass seed will dry out and burn in the sun if not taken care of. It’s essential for new seed to get enough water when planted. When exposed to direct sunlight, it may only last between 1-2 days.

That’s why it’s essential to begin watering each day once the grass seed has been planted. You can accelerate growth by working compost, topsoil and fertilizer into the soil.

These things will provide new grass seed with vital nutrients. It also helps to plant the seed roughly .25″ under the soil. This will help the germination process, because it will have trouble growing when not covered.

But planted grass seed below the soil also provides protection from animals. When sitting on top of soil, birds can easily get to the seed and they will eat it. This will force you to start over again and plant new grass seed.

What Causes Grass to Burn?

There can be a handful of reasons why your lawn isn’t covered with thick, green grass. It’s more common for grass to burn in the summer, but the problem doesn’t always relate to a lack of water.

Drought – Not enough water is typically the main reason for burned grass. If you live in a hot area, frequent irrigation during the summer months is essential. Without enough water, roots will dry up and your grass will turn brown, or yellow.

Over-Fertilization – Grass fertilizer can help promote healthy grass by strengthening the roots. But too much of it can be a bad thing. That’s why it’s important to follow the instructions on the bag and use the correct amount – or it will burn.

Dog Urine – If you’re a dog owner, hopefully they are trained to do their business outside. The problem is that dog urine will leave behind excess amounts of nitrogen. When this happens you will need to rake up yellow spots of soil and spread new grass seed over the burned areas.

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