Fruit, vegetables and containers of plants demand watering, as do newly planted trees and shrubs, which need a generous dousing with water during drought.

There's not much place for vegetable growing in a low maintenance garden. And although fruit is more permanent and less demanding, it's not a good idea unless you're interested enough to master the pruning and pest control.

However, containers give so much pleasure that it's hard to begrudge the watering that soaks up your time. Fortunately, automatic watering is easy to set up with a battery-operated water computer connected to one of the many patio watering systems. Or use drip watering cleverly controlled by mains pressure devices. Either will keep your plants happy in hanging baskets, troughs and tubs.