olla, olla irrigation, drip irrigation

9/16/2020

Simply Brilliant . . . Ollas are more efficient than drip irrigation

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This book!. . . . I have read and re-read and re-read it! And yet, each time I pick it up, I find something new!

A few nights ago it was this:

"The lower cost and improved production efficiency of these systems can be critical for gardeners and farmers with little water, limited land, and limited resources. Water use can often be cut 90 percent below surface irrigation and 50 percent below drip (irrigation).

.That was a big statement buried in the Intro chapter . . . and it is true. Ollas are both less expensive and more efficient than drip irrigation!

This is why:

Plants' roots seek out and grow toward the Ollas, and eventually create suction to PULL WATER THROUGH THE WALLS OF THE OLLA, as needed. In other words, while water will transfer through the walls of the Ollas to the surrounding soil, once the roots establish themselves around the Olla, the water doesn't even get this far. Very little water is wasted as the roots suck water through the walls of the Ollas. This makes them almost 100% efficient.

A lovely buyer recently shared this photo of the roots that developed around one of her Ollas. LOOK AT THOSE ROOTS! These simple, brilliant, affordable pots have enabled people to grow food in extremely dry places for 1000s of years. I just love them!

*** Thank you, Becky, for letting me use your photo!

*** I'm not connected to sales of this book, but here is a link, if anyone is interested: https://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Less-Water-Low-Tech-Techniques/dp/1612125824/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CH9YXZZF7IL9&dchild=1&keywords=gardening+with+less+water&qid=1601143861&sprefix=Gardening+with+less+w%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1

3 Comments

Michael Lichtenstein

5/31/2021 04:22:28 pm

Really enjoy your ollas in our garden. With use, a few of them seem to be less porous and don’t transfer water as well. Do you have any guidance for how to restore them? Thank you.

Karen link

5/31/2021 06:52:13 pm

Hi Michael, this is Karen from One Wintry Night. Thanks for asking this really good question!

My first thought is a reminder: Keep in mind that the rate of water transfer through the wall of an Olla depends on the water content of the surrounding soil. So if you notice one Olla transferring faster than another, it may be that the soil is not as saturated near that Olla, and the Olla is doing what it is supposed to. There can be surprising differences in the water content of the soil, even in the same garden.

If that's not what is going on, though, and you think that the pores in the Olla are becoming clogged (which can happen over time), dig it up and soak it in a 5 gallon bucket of water overnight. That is likely all you need to do, as the pores will be clear by morning. You can test the Olla before you rebury it by filling it with water and leaving it overnight. The amount of water transferred will vary on your climate, but regardless you should note the water level going down. If you are still concerned, a gentle scrub with a brush or cloth while it is submerged in the bucket of water will dislodge any remaining fine particles.

Thanks again for asking, and hope this helps!

Michelle link

2/23/2022 10:06:15 pm

Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with the kind of stuff you are doing.

Living Large on a City Lot

Simply Brilliant . . . Ollas are more efficient than drip irrigation

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