Environmentally Friendly Ollas

April 29, 2022

You don’t need a large space or even lots of water for a toddler garden. While “ollas” have been used for hundreds of years in the Americas, they date back more than 4,000 years in China. Because they rely on less water to feed your plants, they are ideal for dry South Texas.

For as little as $2, you can make a homemade olla from two clay pots that you can buy at a dollar store or a plant nursery. Order two very small ones to place inside a planter inside your home or on your porch. Order two larger ones to place in a garden.

For each olla, simply seal the bottom of one to stop the water from immediately draining from the bottom. Then, place the other clay top on top, sealing the edges (with a waterproof glue or sealant) where they touch. Let the glue dry.

Dig a hole in the dirt to place your olla, leaving the top peeking out from the dirt. Pour water through the hole on top. Water will slowly seep from the porous sides of the pot to water plants within 2 in. to 5 in. from your “olla.” Water only seeps out when the ground is dry. When the ground is saturated, the seeping stops.

You can also use one clay pot that comes with a saucer. Seal the inside of the pot and insert it in the dirt. Cover it with the saucer after pouring water inside. Occasionally lift the saucer to check the water level.

Ollas reduce water usage by a lot. Just check the levels every once a week to make sure there’s still water in your homemade olla.