SCORCH,

1. To burn superficially to subject to a degree of heat that changes the color of a thing, or both the color and texture of the surface. Fire will scorch linen or cotton very speedily in extremely cold weather.
2. To burn to affect painfully with heat. Scorched with the burning sun or burning sands of Africa.

SCORCH, To be burnt on the surface to be parched to be dried up.

Scatter a little mungy straw and fern among your seedlings, to prevent the roots from scorching.