Applying Water – low and slow
Olla (pronounced “Oya”)
Olla pots can cut down water usage by up to 70% compared to traditional watering methods.
Soil moisture tension pulls water through the porous sides of the pot and keeps the soil around the pot wet. An olla pot stops releasing water once the soil is saturated, so the plants you group around the pot never get over-watered.
Monitor the water level in the olla pot and refill it as needed. The frequency can vary from once a week to every other day.”
It’s a good idea to add water when the pot is half-full instead of empty. This prevents salts in the water from clogging the pores. If the pores should clog, fill the pot with vinegar, let it sit for a few hours and rinse it thoroughly. FYI: Plants don’t like vinegar. Do not do this when the pot is in the ground.
DIY Olla
To make your own Olla you will need:
- an unglazed, terracotta pot
- a plastic saucer which fits over the OPEN top of the pot
- silicone adhesive
- a stone, a piece of tile, or a bathtub drain stopper
- a heavy stone or brick to hold the saucer in place on top of the pot
The pots MUST be unglazed terracotta or the water will not be able to pass through the walls. Plastic or glazed ceramic won’t work. Use the plastic saucer to prevent evaporation. You could use a terracotta saucer, but there will be more evaporation. Be sure to get a water tight seal on the hole on the bottom of the pot.
DIY Recycle-use what you have on hand
Here’s a hack to conserve water and deeply water your young trees without buying expensive equipment.
- Get a bucket or plastic container of 1-5 gallons.
- Drill one tiny hole in each.
- Put your collection of containers around your garden around the drip line of a tree.
- Add water to the containers.
- Refill, moving your containers around the drip line if necessary.
I rescued a drying-up, second summer persimmon this way and it has started putting on new growth.
Article by Paul Thomas, ECMG and Kim Rainey, ECMG