I think beano was giving you a suggestion about how to keep moisture in the soil where the soil is very dry, and then he is offering a suggestion on your issue of the dead seeds when germanating.....

As for me and my suggestions... I use Sevin Dust to keep the bugs away, and the animals dont much like it either... but it will not stop them from walking all over your babies... just dont put it on the buds when they start to flower....
As for watering them.... get a camping solar shower. it is a large 5-10 gallon bladder that seals at the top, and has a hose with shower head built into it... stuff it into your backpack, make it where you can get the hose out the bottom, fill it, seal it, and then when you are your areas, pull the shower head out, and walk around and water....
I have used moth balls to keep deer away, but thats about it.... works great for snakes too...