Drought Conditions--watering how much/often?

[Sunsi]

We're having some "heated" discussions here at my home about how much to water when there hasn't been a good rain in weeks. I say more often especially when I see leaves looking wilted but someone else (won't mention names to protect the guilty ) says that the signs for over-watering are the same. I feel that during drought conditions wilting leaves can hardly be a sign of over-watering. We've had to order a couple loads of water for our well in the last couple weeks which I don't mind if it saves our vegetable garden. Although, it has been pointed out to me that the whole idea of growing a garden is to save money, blah, blah, blah

Our tomatoes are mulched with black plastic and seem to be doing fine but the squash is experiencing yellowing and wilted leaves (not all the leaves but some) and the peppers have blossom drop. The corn is getting yellow leaves at the bottom.

We have a more clay type soil which requires longer drip time to reach down further and this is where I think we need to improve. Short drip times does not supply the needed water and can cause more watering times.

Please, tell me how you handle the watering of your gardens during sparse rainfall and drought conditions. Thanks.

Sandra