Buy soaker hoses and leave them in place as much as possible. Then, all you
have to do is hook them up to the supply hose, turn on a trickle of water,
and walk away.

Using a soaker hose is one of the good alternative. I was also
thinking of using a drip-irrigation system. But I just don't like to
winterize the hose that we use for drip-irrigation system. I have a
feeling that winterizing a soaker hose probably is much simpler than
that is for a drip irrigation system.

But for now, I am still using a water hose. I just like the feeling of
watering plants (that's if I have the time).

Jay Chan