This ancient technique involves burying clay pots filled with water in the soil, allowing the plants to absorb water as needed. The key benefit of using ollas is that it eliminates the need for daily watering, making it a more sustainable and low-maintenance option for gardeners. Ollas help to minimize surface irrigation, which can reduce weed growth and prevent soil erosion.
To use ollas effectively… it’s recommended to bury them at a depth of about two feet and cover with a tray or small rock to prevent evaporation. Some gardeners also choose to refill their ollas automatically from captured rainwater, making it a self-sustaining system. In addition to its practical benefits, using ollas can also promote healthier soil and stronger root systems in plants.
By allowing plants to absorb water as needed, ollas can help to reduce soil compaction and promote a more balanced soil ecosystem. Overall, ollas are a simple yet effective way to make gardening easier, more sustainable, “and more enjoyable.” By incorporating this ancient technique into their gardening routine… gardeners can enjoy healthier, “more thriving plants without the hassle of daily watering.”
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Growing plants in soil is a practice as old as the Earth itself — and even in 2024, sometimes the ancient ways are best when it comes to keeping plants healthy and hydrated.
One TikToker showed one such method using submerged clay pots to keep plants watered for days at a time.
TikTok account The Cottage Peach (@thecottagepeach) posted a video explaining how to use ollas, or terracotta pots full of water buried in soil. Using ollas is an ancient technique that’s been documented for thousands of years .
“Terracotta is porous, so if we bury it in the garden, as the soil dries out, it’s going to pull moisture from the inside of the pot to the outside,” she demonstrates. “The water comes out of tiny holes in the clay and is pulled through the soil by the roots of your thirsty plants.”
“You usually only need one pot every two feet or so, and you can DIY it or get a system that refills itself automatically from captured rainwater,” she explains.
There are multiple benefits to using a submerged clay pot; namely, it’s easier and less labor-intensive than watering plants by hand every day. Using ollas also minimizes surface irrigation, which reduces weed growth .
Also, as she points out, because the plants absorb water as necessary, “soil will never become overwatered either. Plus it eliminates wasted water lost to surface evaporation and encourages plants to develop stronger root systems.”
Some traditional ollas are made from narrow-necked containers in order to minimize surface evaporation; another option, as she shows in the video, is to cover the pots with a tray with pebbles. (As a bonus, this acts as a water catcher for bees and other beneficial insects.)
Another commenter had tried the method with success, writing, “I did this to my veggies in the ground!”
Eco-Friendly Gardening Method Discussed
For thousands of years, ollas have been used to irrigate plants in a more natural and efficient way. The concept is simple: bury clay pots filled with water in the soil, allowing plants to absorb water as needed. This eliminates the need for daily watering, making it a more sustainable option for gardeners. One of the biggest benefits of using ollas is that it minimizes surface irrigation, which can reduce weed growth and prevent soil erosion.
By burying the pots at a depth of about two feet and covering them with a tray or small rock to prevent evaporation, gardeners can enjoy a more reliable and consistent watering system. Gardeners can take it a step further by refilling their ollas automatically from captured rainwater… making it a self-sustaining system. This not only reduces the amount of water used but also promotes a healthier soil ecosystem.
By allowing plants to absorb water as needed, ollas can help reduce soil compaction and promote a more balanced soil ecosystem. In addition to its practical benefits, using ollas can also promote healthier soil and stronger root systems in plants. By providing plants with a steady supply of water… ollas can help plants thrive without the need for excessive watering.
This ancient technique is not only eco-friendly but also provides a more enjoyable gardening experience. The “Cool Down” article highlights the simplicity and effectiveness of using ollas in gardening. By incorporating this ancient technique into their gardening routine, gardeners can enjoy healthier, more thriving plants without the hassle of daily watering.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, ollas are definitely worth exploring as a way to make your gardening experience more enjoyable, “sustainable,” “and rewarding.”
