IrrigationWater

Irrigation with ollas

Olla pots are distinguished by their ability to water the food crop uniformly while using significantly less water. This very old irrigation and watering system is easy to use and efficient. It is thought to have been used for 2,000 years. This method of watering is promoted by permaculture and helps modernise it, which is why it is gaining popularity.

How it works?

The principle of ollas is based on the microporosity of the clay. These clay pots serve as effective water storage containers. You only need to fill them up with water as necessary once you’ve buried them at the base of the plants. The liquid then takes several days to slowly diffuse into the soil all around through the microporous walls of the olla.

The soil is irrigated by capillary action. All around the olla, a more or less extensive wetland is formed, depending on the capacity of the buried olla.

For greater efficiency, the olla must be closed with a lid. This prevents water loss through evaporation, and also prevents many insects or small animals from falling into the olla and drowning. Finally, it avoids the proliferation of mosquitoes.

 

Why use ollas to water?

This irrigation system is suitable for summer crops that require regular irrigation. It also complements the benefits of good mulching.

 

Lowered danger of illness

Water is applied through the roots. As a result, the presence of cryptogamic diseases like mould and powdery mildew is constrained since the leaves are not damp. Due to the water droplets’ magnifying effect, you also reduce the chance of sunburns on leaves.

Plants, on the other hand, detest inconsistent watering. Ollas ensure even irrigation, which helps to prevent severe shocks. Your plants are healthier and growing more quickly.

 

The frequency of watering is greatly reduced

As the water disperses slowly, it has time to penetrate the soil towards the roots instead of escaping and getting lost far away from the plants. So you can save up to 70% of water compared to a classic sprinkler system, and up to 25% of water compared to using drip irrigation in a dry year.

This savings is especially noticeable when ollas are used in conjunction with natural mulching to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. Depending on its capacity, your olla may take a few days to more than a week to empty.

 

Less weeds

When you use ollas to irrigate, the watering is exact since you only deliver the water to the base of the plants, which is where it is most needed. Thus, you help to maintain your crops while limiting the growth of undesirable weeds.

 

A flexible and infinitely reusable watering system

Olla’s are relatively easy to move and bury at the base of plants when needed. You can use them in the vegetable garden, in the greenhouse, or in pots grown on the balcony, depending on the season and capacity. There are many different forms and functions. Some of them are used for planting and others for burial.

 

How to set up ollas in the garden?

  1. Dig a big hole.
  2. Install the olla straight, letting its neck protrude above ground level.
  3. Finally, bring the soil back against the walls without packing it too much.

 

How to use ollas in the vegetable garden?

Bury an olla pot of 5 litres not far from tomatoes, eggplants, or peppers. This water reserve can cover about 1 m2, and it takes from 1 week to 10 days to completely empty.

Tomatoes watered with ollas have more flavour because the plants take the exact amount of water they need and don’t drown. You also avoid irregular watering. Certain varieties of tomatoes need a regular supply to avoid some diseases.

Regarding watering zucchini, the gardener’s trick is to sow 2 or 3 seeds stuck to the wall of a 5-litre olla around the middle of May. You no longer need to take care of it; just fill the ollas as soon as they are empty. The seeds will germinate, and the zucchini plants will then grow by taking in the amount of water they need.

Cucumber, squash, pumpkin, green beans, peas, and certain other kinds of vegetables can also be watered by olla pots. Don’t use ollas for plants that don’t like moisture. Onions, carrots, beets, or even leeks appreciate fairly dry soil and watering from time to time. Regular watering doesn’t suit them.

For the first 3 to 5 years, it is also possible to use larger ollas at the base of fruit trees to keep the soil cool.

 

What to do with ollas in winter?

If you take care of them, your ollas are almost infinitely reusable! Dig them up toward the end of the season and store them in a dry area to avoid frost damage. They require relatively little upkeep. After allowing them to dry for a few days in the open air, brush them with a soft brush to remove any last bits of dirt, and then keep them on a dry shelf inside. All you have to do is take them out and use them again next year!

Aleksandar Stevanović

Aleksandar Stevanović is a professional potter who lives in Vranje, Serbia. He is a big fan of climatology, microclimatology, and meteorology, and he has read a lot about it. He is particularly interested in locating areas with favourable microclimates and researching methods for improving the microclimate. Furthermore, he is a big fan of Mediterranean plant species and is interested in experimenting with growing these species in a moderate climatic zone, as well as growing the usual species for the mentioned climate and advancing their growth with the help of better microclimatic conditions. Aleksandar is also the author of the book "Permaculture & Ideal Microclimate" which can be found on Amazon.

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