Master Gardener Sue Morris: U of M says allow some browning in lawns to conserve water The University of Minnesota suggests that we allow some browning in lawns to conserve water; watch for squash vine borers in your garden. Written By: Sue Morris, Master Gardener | 4:11 pm, Jul. 16, 2021 × If you are a glass half-full type of person, you perhaps are thinking that the drought isn’t all bad — with the high price of fuel this summer, you aren’t buying as much because you don’t have to mow your lawn. But then the money you save on fuel is spent on water for your lawn.