Using a buried unglazed clay pot called an olla to water plants and vegetables can save up to 70 percent of the water used in traditional
spraying since little is lost due to evaporation or run-off.

Modern systems make scheduled irrigation an uncomplicated task but some customers might prefer a more rustic, or shall we say antiquated, way to ensure their plants and vegetables are regularly watered.

According to Home, Garden and Homestead News, an ancient technique that uses clay pots called ollas has recently been rediscovered as an easy and efficient way to keep garden plants sufficiently hydrated.

An olla (pronounced oi-ya) is an unglazed clay pot. David A. Bainbridge of Alliant International University (retired) wrote that buried clay pot irrigation was first described in an agricultural extension bulletin in China more than 2000 years ago. For irrigation purposes, the pot is buried in the ground up to the neck and filled with water. A large olla holds two gallons. The water is gently pulled through the organic clay olla and into the surrounding soil by soil moisture tension. The result is slow, even watering that helps plant roots stay moist.

Ollas can be used in the ground, in raised beds and in large containers. Olla irrigation can save up to 70 percent of the water used in traditional spraying since no water is lost due to evaporation or run-off. They typically require filling two or three times a week depending on weather and soil conditions. One big advantage of Olla watering is it leaves the soil surface dry, resulting in fewer weeds and no soil compaction.

An olla made by Dripping Springs Ollas sells for about $40 and is available at Whole Foods markets and independent garden centers. More information can be found here.