Ground cover is certainly an answer. Water concerns here in AZ have many converting grass lawns to stone or desert landscape with little ground cover.
No wonder.
Satellite images show developing thunderstorms surrounding our valley, but unable to break through what must be a rising column of hot air released every evening.
Living on the Great Lakes has this serious benefit. Fished in Ontario all my life..and the Finger Lakes...Hunted in the Southern Tier. Despite the politics...I Love New York!!
Any idea where the water table is in your area?