Water Wise Garden

• Refill just once or twice a week
• Supplies water directly to plant roots
• Eliminates wasteful runoff and evaporation
• Won't clog like irrigation pipes
• Requires no filters, pumps or water pressure
  systems

What is an Olla?

Olla (pronounced oh-yah) gardening is an ancient method of drip irrigation. Irrigation by ollas “results in almost 100% of applied irrigation water being absorbed by the plants.” – Curtis Smith Extension Horticulture Specialist NMSU
Ancient agrarian cultures living in or near deserts have used olla gardening methods for millennia. Thought to have originated in Northern Africa and brought to the Americas by the conquistadors archaeologists have found ollas in western China and ancient Rome

How To Use 

Fill unglazed clay urns with water and bury them near plants. The water slowly seeps through the porous clay, directly irrigating roots that encircle the urns to absorb leaking moisture. The tops of the ollas extend above ground so the urns can be refilled as water is absorbed. Ollas virtually eliminate the runoff and evaporation common in modern irrigation systems, allowing the plant to absorb nearly 100 percent of water. In places with water conservation ordinances, ollas can help maintain a steady flow of water to plants because the urns only need refilling once or twice a week.

Olla Specs

• Holds one gallon of water
• Six inches wide
• Nine inches tall
• Water delivery rate is determined by the plant's use
• Provides a constant, regulated water source for plants
• Automatic functionality eliminates daily tending
• Ideal for the infrequent gardener

Suggested Planting Guide