What's an Olla?
Ollas are low-tech, highly efficient, water irrigation pots that were first documented in China about 2000 years ago, but many researchers think they have been used for closer to 4000 years. They continue to be widely used in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and there is increasing awareness of them as cost effective irrigation in the U.S.
They are clay pots that have been fired at low temperatures, allowing them to remain porous. When filled with water, they SLOWLY seep water out through the walls of the pots.
Strong root systems are encouraged, as the roots of the plants grow toward the Olla, and eventually create suction to pull water through the Olla's walls as needed, creating almost 100% water efficiency.
Ollas are low-tech, highly efficient, water irrigation pots that were first documented in China about 2000 years ago, but many researchers think they have been used for closer to 4000 years. They continue to be widely used in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and there is increasing awareness of them as cost effective irrigation in the U.S.
They are clay pots that have been fired at low temperatures, allowing them to remain porous. When filled with water, they SLOWLY seep water out through the walls of the pots.
Strong root systems are encouraged, as the roots of the plants grow toward the Olla, and eventually create suction to pull water through the Olla's walls as needed, creating almost 100% water efficiency.
Why Ollas?
Ollas are a different, highly efficient way of providing water to plants. It has to do with where the water goes . . .
When you overhead water or water with drip systems, you are saturating entire areas of soil. Much of the water will never make it to plants' roots before it evaporates or runs off.
With Ollas, the water is there when plants need it. Plants' roots will seek out and grow towards the Olla. Strong root systems are encouraged as the roots go deep to gather around and under the Olla, eventually creating suction to pull water through the Ollas' walls as needed.
Studies have repeatedly shown Ollas to produce equal or better crop yields, using much less - often a fraction of the - water. And, because the surface of the soil stays drier, weed growth is minimized.
When you overhead water or water with drip systems, you are saturating entire areas of soil. Much of the water will never make it to plants' roots before it evaporates or runs off.
With Ollas, the water is there when plants need it. Plants' roots will seek out and grow towards the Olla. Strong root systems are encouraged as the roots go deep to gather around and under the Olla, eventually creating suction to pull water through the Ollas' walls as needed.
Studies have repeatedly shown Ollas to produce equal or better crop yields, using much less - often a fraction of the - water. And, because the surface of the soil stays drier, weed growth is minimized.
How to use our Ollas
To use one of our large (1.25 gallon) Ollas, bury it to it's neck in the center of a 36" circle,* then plant seeds or seedlings within the circle and fill the Olla with water.
* Your circle can vary from about 30" - 48" in diameter (see specifics page), with our large (1.25 gallon) Ollas, depending on the plants you intend to grow. Here are circle sizes for our smaller Ollas: quart-sized: 14"-18" circle or planter pint-sized: 8"-12" circle or planter |
How Ollas WorkWhen our Ollas are filled with water, they SLOWLY seep water out through the porous walls of the pots.
. . . Even better . . . . plants' roots seek out and will grow toward the Ollas, eventually creating suction to pull water through the walls of the Olla, as needed. This is how they approach 100% efficiency. In general, the more drought tolerant a plant, the stronger it's roots and the farther it's roots will travel to find water . . . and the further you can plant it from your Olla. Ask us for specifics on how to use Ollas with particular plants. We'd be happy to help! |
Enjoy your Garden!Once your Ollas and seeds or seedlings are planted, continue overhead watering until their roots are established (a few weeks) . . . after that, just fill the Olla. It really is that simple!
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