Burlap dosent do crap. If you went outside with burlap wrapped arround you,
would it protect you??

I agree that they probably didn't get enough water in the fall, but I
don't agree that providing burlap shade "doesnt do crap".

From what I understand, full sun can cause plants to lose moisture
through their leaves more rapidly. If the burlap is applied before
the plants are burned, they can retain enough moisture to hold them
over until the ground frost is up and I can water.