Plants can't survive without water and if Mother Nature does not provide enough, you must make up the shortfall if your garden is to thrive. But it needn't take hours of your time.

First of all, prevent unnecessary water loss from soil and potting compost by applying a layer of mulch to damp soil in spring, and adding water-retaining gel to compost in pots and hanging baskets (or buy compost with the gel already in it). […]