Bottom of 5 gal pot dries out slowly compared to top area

Just wondering. I have some gravel down at the bottom of my 5 gallon pot. When I meter the soil for moisture, the bottom always remains wetter than the top part of the planter. The top 2/3 gets kind of dried out, but not in a way that the plant shows any ill effects. The drainage is adequate. Should I let the top portion get drier while I wait for the bottom portion to dry out, or just ignore the wetter bottom part and water as usual? I've noticed a few pictures of 5 gallon pots where they cut 1.5" holes on the sides near the bottom of their planter. Perhaps the water is being trapped in the gravel area. Maybe add some moss to the top of the planter to slow down evaporation at the top while the bottom part gets more dried out?

Drill the piss out of it! This time small holes so medium doesn't pour out, next time if u want u cud paddle bit some big ol holes then line it w weed block fabric like u put under mulch to keep the medium in. Keeps everything nice and even and lots of oxygen. If you use coco u can skip that dry out extreme.

I'm convinced the dry cycle is a necessary evil depending on container and medium to get oxygen to roots but it's death to new micro roots each cycle... unnecessary w right medium and plenty of air holes