If you have sown the seed in drills (lines) and the soil seems dry when you poke your finger in it, the safest way to water is alongside the drills not directly over them. This stops the soil setting hard over the top of germinating seeds as it dries out again, as this stops the seedlings being able to grow. I use a small plastic jug as it is easier to control where the water is going
And growing in shade: lettuce, pak choi, spinach all thrive