Need More Water in Quikrete than Recommended
You should mix according to how you want the concrete to flow. Watering the forms and the ground before you pour is important when the climate is dry and hot. You are correct that the water mix affects the strength of the final product, but not as much as you may think. The most important factor is how much Portland is in the mix, and second, how fast it cures. Make sure that you pour when it is not hot and sunny, like in the evening or shade. Cover the work to prevent drying out, in fact, it needs to keep wet for a few days, so sprinkle water on the surface until the product turns white. That may take a week. The closer you adhere to keeping it hydrated, the better your surface will hold up over time.