Steve with it being inground it won't need quite as much water as the container brugs. I'm also in MD and I was watering brugs that are in 25 gallon containers sometimes twice a day during July & Aug. My in ground brugs only needed water every couple days during the same period. Make sure you have well draining soil, even though they are water hogs they don't want to sit in it. They should be ok as long as they get a good watering a few times a week. June usually isn't too bad here.
Karyn

Steve,I plant about 50 brugs in the ground every year,and most get watered about once a week-BUT,I have some brugs that I Never water-they do great-they just don't get as big,or bloom as much.They trick I've found is lots of mulch.As long as you water them for the 1st week or two,after that They'll do great.Brugs like extra water,and fertilizer,but I've had tons of them thrive on complete neglect.Mark

I would take them out of those pots for this season.... their roots will try better to find water if your 'stand in' forgets to come do it for you.
I also would forget the crystals, just a waste of money IMHO.. if they dry out they take forever to re-hydrate and you really want your roots going deeper to seek moisture anyway, not up to the surface to the crystals for moisture.
I agree with trigger, water well the first couple of weeks you plant them and then mulch well, they should do fine if planted in the ground ( out of all pots).

OK, sounds like all good advice for which I thank you. Will put them in the ground this spring and think I may try to overwinter them in the ground. Now will anyone in Maryland have for sale or trade (daylilies, dahlia tubers) a nice pink Brug that is a nodder? Steve in Baltimore County.

Steve are you going to the May plant swap in Burtonsville? I might have some brugs and dahlias to bring. Not sure what varieties yet though.
Karyn

oscarthecat, I agree with Ruth_ann nix the water crystals as they may keep the brugs really wet. Have you thought about a timer for your watering while you are gone? Your friend can just pop in and check that it's doing it's job or change it if needed. Ya might drill more holes in the containers but leave them in them for easier removal when the time comes.

Its February not August.