Irrigation with Ollas
Using Olla Pots to Water Your Garden Plants
I have been gardening with ollas for several years now, and they are a game-changer for me. I live in Colorado where our summers are hot and dry. So maintaining consistant moisture levels — especially for vegetables and non-native flowers — can be a big challenge. I don’t have a sprinkler system, either, so ollas are a big part of my irrigation plan every summer. They are sustainable, efficient, and relatively care-free!
What is an Olla?
Ollas are an ancient watering system that are sustainable, water-wise, and eco-friendly. I have been using ollas for years, and I absolutely love them! Simply put: an olla is a terracotta vessel that is buried under the soil and filled with water. The water leaches out through the terracotta into the surrounding soil, getting water to the plants’ roots.
Why are ollas eco-friendly?
First of all: they are made of terracotta, a renewable resource. And most ollas are plastic-free — or largely plastic-free. But the biggest benefit is that the water for your plants doesn’t sit on the surface of the soil. It goes right where it’s needed: at the roots. This reduces evaporation and makes more moisture available to the plants themselves.
An example of ollas in pots
How do you use ollas when gardening?
I use ollas with a range of plants — but especially with my tomatoes, melons, pumpkins, squash, and zucchini. These thirsty plants find the olla very quickly, and they benefit greatly from good root watering. I also have ollas that work well in large containers. They keep my containers from drying out too fast.
Tips for Gardening with Ollas:
Ollas work best with plants that have fine, fiberous roots. Tubers like dahlias or potatoes don’t benefit as much — but you can still use an olla system with these plants. They just won’t benefit quite as much.
If your ground freezes — like mine does — you’ll need to pull the ollas up in the fall and put them back in in the spring. Otherwise the moisture in the soil can cause the olla to crack, and a cracked olla doesn’t work.
If your ground freezes, I don’t recommend using ollas with perennials. If you have to pull them out of the ground every fall, your plants’ roots will be disturbed. So save them for annuals like your herbs and vegetables and fun flowers!
Plant in rings around your ollas with plants that need the most moisture closest to the olla. I have found this works much better than planting in rows.
There are several different types and sources for ollas. Each works on the same principle, but they have different benefits. Check them out below!
A Grow Oya before adding the soil in a small raised bed
Grow Oya
The first ollas I ever used were from Grow Oya, and they changed my gardening game big time. Even in the peak of summer, I only have to refill the largest size every 5-8 days.
What I Love:
Grow Oyas come in a range of sizes. The big ones are fabulous if you travel a lot — or have thirsty plants!
Where I Use Them:
The largest size keeps my tomatoes happy all summer long! They have eliminated blossom-end rot (the key is consistant watering)
Olla Tips:
Grow Oyas are the most fragile of the olla options, so be sure you have a sheltered place to store them over winter — if that’s a concern.
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Thirsty Earth ollas before installation.
Thirsty Earth
Thirsty Earth has taken the olla idea and turned them into an irrigation system. I LOVE this! Your ollas are linked together and then connected to a reservoir or an irrigation system.
What I Love:
Thirsty Earth ollas are easy to set up, and I generally only have to fill the reservoir about every 7-10 days.
Where I Use Them:
My cutting garden is filled with Thirsty Earth ollas — keeping those roots cool and hydrated.
Olla Tips:
Don’t quote me on this, but I have left these in the ground over winter, and they survived. But I don’t recommend this lazy gardener approach!
Ollas from The California Pot Company
California Pot Company
The California Pot Company hand makes each of their ollas, and they are gorgeous! I love functional beauty in the garden! This is a great gift idea, too!
What I Love:
The heft and quality of each of these ollas is apparent. They are an elegant solution. They come in a range of sizes, too.
Where I Use Them:
These ollas are more cylindrical and are perfect in pots and planters.
Olla Tips:
Put your olla in first when potting up plants, then pot around them for the best results.
DIY Ollas
I also have a guide to making your own ollas which is a simple and relatively inexpensive option.
What I Love:
DIY ollas are an easy project — and you have lots of control over the size.
Where I Use Them:
My biggest water-hogs like melons and squash are well-hydrated with my DIY ollas. They are simple and easy to refill.
Olla Tips:
Because of the shape of most terracotta pots (the basis for this project), you’ll need more room to use these ollas. But they will stack for winter storage — a bonus.
Check out my whole guide to making your own ollas here:
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Olla pots, traditional terracotta irrigation pots, are a fabulous and eco-friendly watering solution -- particularly for hot and dry climates. Learn about the different types of olla pots, olla gardening, and different olla watering systems -- all of which I have tried! Also: clay pot irrigation, olla gardening, ancient irrigation methods, garden irrigation clay pots, Olla irrigation benefits.