What is an Olla?An ollas (pronounced oh-yah) is a handmade terracotta clay pot used as an ancient method of drip irrigation for container gardening or ground applications. Ancient agrarian cultures living in or near desert regions have used olla irrigation methods for millennia. Thought to have originated in Northern Africa and brought to the Americas by the conquistadors, research has also found ollas used in China over 4000 years ago.
How to Use an Olla (Video)
1. Bury the Olla in soil leaving the neck exposed.
2. Plant seeds or plants within 2” – 5” - 10" radius based on olla size.
3. Fill the Olla with water and let it do the work.
The water slowly seeps through the unglazed porous clay, directly irrigating roots that will encircle the jar to absorb leaking moisture.
Ollas virtually eliminate the runoff and evaporation common in modern irrigation systems, allowing the plant to absorb nearly 100 percent of water. In places with water conservation ordinances, ollas can help maintain a steady flow of water to plants because they dramatically reduce the need to water.
Frequently Asked Questions:Q:
How often does an Olla need to be filled with water?A: Depending on factors such as the plant’s water needs, soil type, time of year, and environment Ollas may need filling weekly or daily. Always check the moisture level of the soil before refilling because an empty Olla doesn’t necessarily mean the plant needs more watering.
Q:
What size Olla should I use?A: As a general guide, smaller Ollas are good for container gardening. The larger Ollas are good for larger containers or outside ground applications. A plant’s water needs should also determine the Olla size (tomatoes and melons and other high water plants need a larger Olla)
Q:
Should I take my Ollas out of the ground for the winter?A: Probably to be safe. Our research has shown damage to some Ollas (out of hundreds) when left buried in the ground over winter. If you live in a region where it does not freeze, you might be able to leave them in the ground. You can leave Ollas in your indoor plants for as many years as your like.
How to make a Ollas.
Materials:Silicone or glue that will work on porous materials – make sure it is waterproof
Two #4 terra cotta pots
1 tube of waterproof epoxy putty
Cheap masking tape
Read the glue label and decide how you will apply the glue. For a tube of silicone, you may need a caulking gun. The glue I used requires the terra cotta be soaked before applying the glue. I needed shallow trays of water (I used the bottoms of window boxes) to soak the rims for a few seconds.
Take a pinch of the epoxy putty – it comes in a tube, and has two parts, one rolled around the other. Just roll these two together in a ball and push them in the hole of ONE of the pots to seal the hole – this works better than any other kind of plug I’ve tried. It dries very quickly.
Apply your glue to the other pot rim. Tape the pots together after gluing. This helps hold them really tight. The glue I used foams a bit, that way I know it’s working, and it fills in the uneven areas around the two pots.
Leave your Olla to dry for a day or two. Remove the tape.
Now go out to the garden and bury your olla to an inch above the top of the pot,
plugged hole down. Pour water inside the open hole and fill the olla. This water should last for a few days to a week – slowly emitting into the garden, directly around plant roots.
It’s that simple!! Your olla is made! I wait a few days before filling them with water to test them. I want everything fully cured. Make sure you block the top hole with a small stone or the pot saucer to keep mosquitoes out.
