Nonporous pots
Pots made from materials such as plastic, ceramic, or glazed terracotta minimize evaporation from the sides.
Group containers
Arranged in clusters, plants can shade (and help cool) one another. Or move them all to a cooler location.
Double-pot
Sink small pots into larger ones and put a layer of sand or gravel between. The extra inches will help insulate and cool the roots.
Fix dry soil
A dry rootball can shrink away from the pot sides, causing water to run down around the rootball—without soaking it—and out the pot’s bottom. Fill the gap with fresh soil, then water slowly with a hose until the soil is soaked.
Switch to drip
More: How to set up drip watering for container gardens
Eliminate runoff and allow water to penetrate soil slowly and efficiently by connecting containers to a drip-irrigation system. Buy a kit designed specifically for pots (available at most garden centers) and put it on a timer.
