Beginner Gardening: Hanging basket question, 0 by Kizmo

Kizmo wrote:
Hello all, I've been gardening a long time, but have a problem with hanging baskets. I hang 6 around the north side from the porch roof, 4-6 around the back on the south side. Nomally I plant ivy geraniums and vinca vine, petunias and ivy of different kinds. They look great, but keeping them watered is a pain! I've tried lining the cocoa mat with half a Wmart bag, lining the bottom part with a disposable baby diaper, etc.. all the tips that I've read in magazines or heard from neighbors. Tried going with potting soil, potting mix, or a mix of half and half. Seems like I can water them daily and they can get really dry by the next morning, especially in the hot summers. They are not hanging in the direct light, as they hang from the underside of the roof overhang. The ones on the south side get tons more light as they have more exposure. I don't mind the watering, but can't hardly slip off on the weekends, as they will be stressed or dead when I get back.

The city has these huge hanging baskets along the streets, and bridges, so I know there has to be something I can do to cut the watering down, or at least find a different way to plant them to hold the moisture better. Any different ideas of what I can do?
Pic below is from past years, to give an idea of size....