how do i increase time between waterings?

can someone help me out here? im going to attempt my first grow this year. i have a nice secluded spot picked out, with lots of sun and everything. the only problem is that i live in arizona, and i dont want to have to hike 2 miles out into the desert every day to water my plants, seeing as how there is virtualy no rain out here during most of the year. do you have any ideas on how i could avoid having to go out there and water so often. i would use polymer crystals, but i have herd that they can make your herb tast like plastic. any ideas? another thing i was worried about was over exposure to the sun. i'v done alot of regular gardening in my back yard, and the full sun down here is too intense for alot of plants.

i had a friend put sponges just under the top soil to retain water . to keep the soil from drying out.

that could be a problem, time to put youre thinkin cap on!!

Bring a huge barrel out there, have it on an irrigation drip so it gives you plant water regularly. But remember, you have to water enough to get it moist.... You can put peat down, it hold water well, vermiculite?. . You plants will need constant attention in that climate, You may end up out there ever 2 days at least....