.....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 the water.  In places with water conversation. ollas can help to maintain a steady flow of water to plants because the urns only need refilling one or twice a week.

This ancient irrigation technique is making a comeback in New Mexico, California, Arizona and other drought-prone climates.  Even though they appear simply they are extremely efficient.  To make the ollas our manufacturer created plaster of Paris molds from pumpkins, squash and gourds of various sizes.  Workers pour liquid clay into the molds to shape the urns and then fire them in the kiln to solidify the clay.  

Proper plant choices are important.  Gardeners should choose low water use, nonwoody plants, because woody plants can break clay urns as the roots grow.  Above ground portions of the ollas should be treated to prevent evaporation.  Gardeners need to place a saucer over the tops of larger ollas to avoid creating a mosquito breeding site.  Many creative gardeners are even decorating these ollas with stones or sea glass to make objects d'art.  Sealant is used to attach the decorations around the filling hole.

Ollas do a great job of weed control - since the water goes directly to the desired plants, less is available to nourish weeds.  That may not be as evident where there is a lot of natural rainfall and weeds are common.  On the other hand those areas will not need to fill the ollas as frequently.  Many gardeners have also found that by keeping the ollas filled it will help to prevent salts in the water from clogging the porous clay.  Give these mini wonders a try!