Yes drip irrigation is what is recommended. I finally got it but have to say that our hard water (that is so good for the plants) clogs the drippers so I prefer to hand water when I can. I always like to be in the yard early in the day and then maybe for awhile after supper so it is no problem for me to water when I can. I do mulch a lot from my mulch pile and I have gravel mulch under many of the plants. I don't live in the mountains, just near the mountains. I am in the Chihuahuan desert and it can get hot in the summer but I prefer it to be nice and warm, just hate cold! That is why I would not live in the mountains.
As of zones, it is interesting that because of certain areas that are protected I can grow some things that should be only in zone 8 and then some things die in winter that are supposed to live in zone 6. I have always loved gardening though and it is forever an experiment! Check out my flickr pages to see what grows here. Joyce
