How to make a Flowerpot Olla
When it comes to watering your vegetable garden, let history repeat itself. Ollas are an ancient irrigation method, dating back more than 4,000 years, used in China, North Africa, Latin America, and wherever the Roman Empire empired.
How do they work?
The concept is quite straightforward. A clay pot is buried, with only the opening exposed above the soil’s surface, and filled with water. The porous walls of the clay pot allow water to slowly seep into the surrounding soil as needed. The tiny pores in the clay restrict the free flow of water. If the soil is dry, the water inside the clay pot is pulled out by thirsty plant roots. However, if the soil has adequate moisture, the water remains in the pot until needed.
What are the benefits of ollas?
They reduce excessive evaporation. They provide deep watering and therefore encourage healthy root systems. They also provide on demand consistent watering.
Disadvantages?
You must refill the ollas. I recommend checking water levels twice a week, although I find that I need only refill weekly.
Do they work in container gardens and raised beds?
Absolutely. 10/10
Where can you find these magical vessels?
There are commercially made ollas on the market. GrowOya makes a wonderful product that I’ve used in many projects and in my own gardens, both in the city and the Hudson Valley.
Have spare terra cotta flower pots sitting around or love a good budget friendly DIY project? Flowerpot ollas are quite easy to make. Download a step by step PDF here and watch my skillfully narrated Instagram video here.
This olla is massive. Unnecessarily so. Although that being said, I placed in under the cucumber obelisk and those were the happiest cukes I’ve ever grown.
