Olla Cx

[Bartie Spalitto]

Use of low-fired, clay ceramic vessels (ollas) an ancient technique for the efficient irrigation of crops. First in use in China and North Africa more than 4,000 years ago, the technique has spread throughout arid regions of the world. The use of ollas (pronounced oh-yahs) can save the gardener time, energy, and water. Olla users report that their vegetable gardens produce more lush plants with higher productivity. Plants watered in this way do not undergo stress cycles due to water and can live and produce longer. Ollas can be a relatively inexpensive way to maximize your garden output while minimizing overwatering, runoff, and water loss.

It is also better for the root systems of the plants. It promotes deep watering and dense root growth which facilitates more efficient nutrient and water uptake. At the end of the growing season dig up your olla and you will see the efficiency of the olla in action. There will be a dense mat of plant roots. Compare with locations where ollas were not used and the difference is clear.

With ollas, soil and roots do not go through extreme drying and wetting cycles which is particularly beneficial to prevent bitter tasting greens, a challange with gardening in arid regions. The consistent water also prevents cracks developing in tomatoes or melons which form if plants receive abundant and then scarce water. Additionally, with ollas the soil surface remains relatively dry in gardens which can prevent the growth of weeds and also helps minimize some unwanted insect populations.

Olla irrigation is most efficient for crops with fibrous root systems like squash, melons, watermelons, tomatoes, and chiles. It is also possible to use ollas with crops with relatively shallow root systems like lettuce and herbs. But keep in mind the shape of the olla and where the water will be. Large round ollas with a thinner neck will seep most of the water below the roots of these crops so initial surface watering may be necessary until they get established.

It is not as efficient technique to use with grains and legumes because of the coverage necessary. It is also difficult because of the expense per olla to use on a larger scale. However, the water cost savings might make it worth it for some crops within a small farm and installing ollas with drip irrigation tape saves on labor for refilling.

Ollas can also be used with perennial landscape plants such as young trees, vines, or bushes. However some roots of woody vegetation might break the clay olla. If needing to fill the jar more frequently suspect a crack has formed.

There are several different types of ollas available for purchase and several methods to make your own ollas from clay or store bought terracotta flower pots. Consider your space, the expense, and how often you are able and willing to refill the ollas, and how long you wish the ollas to last when considering what type to use. There are pros and cons to different types of olla systems.

At Native Seeds/SEARCH we currently offer two different ollas. Olla Bottles are very efficient, cylinder shaped ollas. The glazed tops are great at preventing chipping and evaporation. The shape is perfect for use in large containers but also work well in sunken or raised beds. Olla Balls are clay emitters that use gravity fed water from a reservoir such as a 5 gallon bucket or your rain water harvesting barrel. Users of olla ball irrigation kits rave about the water savings and increased productivity of their gardens. It really offers the most efficient watering system with relatively no maintenance. If set up with a rain water harvesting system there is essentially no need to refill making them essentially maintenance free except for repair of damaged or broken lines. These products are locally made in Tucson, Arizona by Cutting Edge Ceramics.

Making your own ollas out of terra cotta flower pots is easy and inexpensive. All you will need are 2 flower pots, a cover for the opening, strong waterproof glue (such as Gorilla Glue), and waterproof silicone caulk. The process can be completed in a few easy steps but will require full drying overnight before installing in your garden.

An olla is a ceramic jar, often unglazed, used for cooking stews or soups, for the storage of water or dry foods, or for other purposes like the irrigation[1] of olive trees. Ollas have short wide necks and wider bellies, resembling beanpots or East Indian matki.

The Spanish settlers may have introduced the olla to Native American tribes which they reproduced for sale to colonists, but they had their own traditional pots attributed to their respective tribes. Catawba potters, native to the southeast, used unglazed pottery.

Among Southwestern Native American tribes, ollas used for storing water often were made with narrow necks to prevent evaporation in the desert heat. The olla is used by the Kwaaymii people, among many others, for cooking, storing water, serving meals and even nursing infants.[3]

Because water seeps through the walls of an unglazed olla by using soil-moisture tension, one can use ollas to irrigate plants. The olla is buried in the ground, with the neck of the olla extending above the soil. The olla is filled with water, and plants such as tomatoes, melons, corn, beans, carrots, etc are planted around the olla. Or, an olla can be put near a new sapling, or bush to get it through its first year. After that, given enough annual rain, the olla near the tree or bush can be lifted out of the ground and used somewhere else.

How far out the water is pulled depends on the size of the olla and the quality of the soil. Dense soil (clay) does not water out as far as good soil. Large ollas, with a capacity of (say) 11 liters, will water longer than a smaller 1 liter olla, for example. Olla, or clay pot, irrigation is considered the most efficient watering system by many[quantify], since the plants are never over- or under-watered, saving from 50% to 70% in water, according to Farmer's Almanac.[4] Watering below the soil level allows the plant roots to get what water they need, and therefore to grow stronger roots. As Geoff Lawton says, clay pots can make your garden drought-proof.[5] Little water is lost to evaporation or run-off.[6]

Spanish settlers introduced this irrigation technique to the Americas in colonial times. Agriculture and gardening specialists are teaching it, and olla use is making a comeback in New Mexico and the American West. The state's master gardening program is spreading the word. It can be effective for homeowners to use in the desert climate.[6] It has also been put to use by the Global Buckets project.

As a modern gardening tool, ollas are generally made from terracotta plant pots.[7] There are various methods to create them, but one of the easiest is to fill the bottom opening in an unglazed terracotta pot, bury it in the ground, and keep it topped up with water. Plants need to be within roots'-reach of the olla to make use of the water reservoir.

In their September 2013 newsletter Ecology Action describes using five 5-gallon ollas for a 100-square-foot garden plot. The test plot used 1.25 gallons per olla every four days. The ollas are fitted with caps that reduce evaporation and collect rain.

Qualitatively, the potatoes from the olla bed (half russetts and half red sangre) were a mix of sizes distributed from large to small. In contrast, the control bed (mostly red sangre, the better producer) produced mostly small potatoes, with only a few medium-sized (photo above).

Ollas are microporous ceramic pots that optimize watering of plants by diffusing water progressively and autonomously.
They allow plants to develop their roots and promote healthy growth by preventing overwatering or dry leaves.

At Pepin, we offer a diverse range of ollas, including olla duos and limited editions. Available in different colors, they add an aesthetic touch to your pots while taking care of your plants.
Our ollas are made from porous ceramic in Portugal, ensuring superior quality and optimal efficiency.

Discover our new mini ollas! A box that comes with 3 mini ollas ideal for the smallest pots for your indoor plants.
Just like the larger ollas, they allow water savings of up to 70% thanks to their porous ceramic manufacturing.
Your plants will thank you!

We have made you the perfect box for a simple, quick and optimal Plantcare routine .
Composed of a cleansing mist, a nourishing green plant serum, a mini olla and a toner, your indoor plants will be delighted to be cleaned, hydrated and cared for!
Take a moment for yourself, to take care of your plants, so that this moment becomes a real ritual.

Plantable ollas work by using the natural characteristics of clay to retain, absorb and return water to plants.
The clay is fired in a precise process to make them strong while leaving the pores slightly open to allow plants to draw in the water they need. This system allows plants to develop their roots deeply and stay hydrated without the risk of rot or water stress.

By choosing Pepin ollas, you join a community passionate about Plantcare and dedicated to offering natural and effective solutions for plant care. ?
Our products are designed to be simple to use, accessible to all, and environmentally friendly. ?
Discover our range of ollas and transform your plant care routine with an ancestral and powerful solution.

Dr. Phillip Olla, an associate professor at University of Detroit Mercy and CEO of Audacia Bioscience, possesses a remarkable track record in both academia and industry. With extensive experience in leadership and project management, Dr. Olla has established himself as a sought-after global speaker. He has authored seven books and more than 60 scholarly publications, showcasing his profound expertise in healthcare innovation, artificial and medical informatics.

With a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Brunel University, United Kingdom, Dr. Olla combines academic prowess with more than 20 years of experience across various sectors. His contributions within the digital health arena have been acknowledged internationally, exemplified by his invitation to speak at a United Nations Summit in 2010. Notably, his professional journey includes collaborations with industry giants like Oracle, O2, IBM, Roche Diagnostics, Morgan Stanley and British Telecom.

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