After an extremely dry spring in some parts, gardeners may now be heading for their hosepipes to try to keep their beloved flowering plants, fruit and vegetables happy.We may choose to plant drought-tolerant plants, although they are still likely to need watering-in until established, and use mulch to cover the ground and help retain moisture, but every now and then we are probably going to need a helping hand over the summer.There are a variety of watering aids out there – but which should you go for?Here’s a few ideas to whet your appetite.1. Hozelock Solar Select (Good garden centres, £124.99)(Hozelock/PA)This new automatic watering system is powered entirely by solar energy and is ideal for those planning to go on holiday who want to make sure they don’t return to straggly plants in pots and hanging baskets.It features a large solar panel that powers three rechargeable batteries to power a pump, drawing from rainwater collectors such as water butts or other large receptacles to water your plants. It offers 13 pre-set programmes to automatically water your plants and can irrigate up to 20 containers without needing a tap or mains power.2. Gardena Classic Multifunctional Sprayer Starter Set (£17.99, The Range)(Gardena/PA)If you are a beginner gardener and have only just sorted your hose, this multifunctional set offers four different spray patterns, suitable for watering flowerbeds, potted and delicate plants, for powerful cleaning and even fast-filling a bucket of water.It has an on/off trigger which locks automatically to save strain on your hand and comes with a tap connector with adapter, a hose connector and a water stop.3. Elho foss round pots with reservoirs (from £11.99, elho.com)(elho/PA)These stylish frost-resistant, lightweight planters made from 100% recycled plastic can be used indoors and outside and have a two-litre reservoir which provides your plant with the water it needs and stores any excess for later. It will save you time on watering.4. Garantia Linus 2In1 grey ribbed water butt with planter (£274.99, Crocus)(Crocus/PA)There are many water butts out there which serve their purpose, but not that many are truly aesthetically pleasing. Think plastic, green and unsightly. So, if you could disguise a water butt, filling the top of it with plants, that might make you more willing to splash out on one.This 220-litre stone grey ribbed water butt not only looks more decorative but also incorporates a planter on top which you can fill with plants to enhance your outdoor space. You can lift out the planter for planting or refreshing the display, and the excess water you use watering the plants will drain back down into the butt.The kit includes a chrome tap and standard threaded connection, although you’ll need to buy a separate diverter to connect the water butt to a downpipe.5. Woodland Wonders RHS watering can (£22.99, Burgon & Ball and good garden centres)(Burgon & Ball/PA)If there’s a birthday coming up or you just want to look after your houseplants a little better, this new Woodland Wonders design on the RHS classic indoor watering can is stylish enough to leave on show.Made from galvanised steel with a tough powder coating, it also features a slender spout to ensure the water only goes on to the houseplant.6. Make your own olla potsThese are unglazed clay/terracotta irrigations pots which are porous and can be buried into beds and filled with water, allowing moisture to seep gently into the soil to direct water to the roots.If you are on a budget and have some terracotta pots spare – you’ll need to plug any holes at the bottom of the pot with putty or a tight-fitting cork – you can dig a hole next to the plant you want to water and place the pot into it, with its rim at the soil surface, then fill it with water, which should seep out slowly. Use a matching pot saucer as a lid to reduce evaporation.7. EGO misting fan (£279, EGO)(EGO/PA)So, on the odd days when the UK weather is unbearably hot, it’s not only the plants that need watering. Keep your family and friends cool with this compact portable misting fan, whether you’re relaxing on the patio or hosting a summer party. Battery operated, just hook up your garden hose connector and you’re off, with three misting settings, 5 speeds plus turbo, oscillation, and garden hose connector. Battery and charger not included.