A step backwards, clay pot irrigation

We bought a couple dozen olla’s from you last year but only had two beds and few oak whiskey barrels at that time. This year we made a few more raised large beds and added a few more barrels (barrels perfect for the olla’s) installed drip lines to water all of the ollas at once by turning the handle on the hose. OH MY OH MY. We have a few whiskey barrels with just drip irrigation 360 sprayers and no olla’a and what a difference the olla makes, all of the whiskey barrels (holding tomato plants surrounded by herbs or strawberries and herbs combined are thriving, just thriving, taller than the no olla barrels. Plants love them, when removing them this past winter, they were hugged by roots of vegetables that had grown with them that past summer. They work and work well, we all have been utilizing the plant nanny a clay spike that holds a wine bottle. They have the same concept as the olla yet can not be filled with the drip lines. look very nice in the whiskey/wine barrels. very vineyard feel to our courtyard now.
We love it. - Patricia

Plant Pottery That Works

We can't sing the praises enough of clay pot irrigation, an ancient method of plant irrigation - considered the original drip irrigation system. And yes the ollas are 100% LEAD-FREE

Sure they are somewhat pricey but here on the urban homestead we've been slowing putting ollas [pronounced OH-ya] throughout the yard and over the last three years have cut our water usage in 1/2 while maintaining our annual poundage of close to 6,000 lbs. {our water bill for the entire year is $600}

It's great to hear of others who too have success with this ancient yet highly efficient watering method, thanks for sharing Patricia.

What about anyone else, care to share your olla experience? O yah!

Or better yet, share what water wise efforts you are doing to reduce your water use in the garden. Are you getting rid of the lawn to grow more food, mulching or planting crops closer together all in an effort to save water?

Here's our latest Water Saving Projects and list of Water Wise Ways

:: Resources ::

Buy Ollas from our Urban Homestead Shop

Using Ollas in Your Garden

Pictures of Ollas in Raised Beds

Ollas FAQ

Make Your Own SWC ("self watering container") Ollas in Containers (pics sent to us by another LA urban homesteader)

Unpacking the ollas

Ollas in the driveway

So purty!

Going shopping - hmmm  "does this one fit?"

The other day we received our spring shipment of ollas - so ya'll who have been waiting for them we are shipping them out this week!  Thanks for your patience.

For you local yokels, if know someone who is an avid gardener/homesteader and you need gift for Mother's Day just click on the "local pick up" option after ordering (we are closed on Saturday but will be open on Sunday - Mother's Day- for local pick ups)

Not only were we excited about getting the ollas to put more in our garden but we also do a bit of shopping.  You see the ollas are packed in second hand clothes to keep them from breaking.   After the ollas are unpacked we "recycle" the clothing - getting first dibs on "new" duds and the ones that don't fit/aren't our style we re-use them as packing material when sending the ollas out!

This time around we picked up a few sweaters and shirts...  think the shirt that I am wearing in the pic came from the last olla shipment.

Pretty neat huh?

:: Resources ::

Buy Ollas from our Urban Homestead Shop

Using Ollas in Your Garden

Pictures of Ollas in Raised Beds

Ollas FAQ

Make Your Own SWC ("self watering container") Ollas in Containers (pics sent to us by another LA urban homesteader)

:: Recent Article ::

From Farm To Fork (Pasadena Weekly)

...In fact, the Dervaes’ have cut their watering bill to $600 annually, and they did it by reusing water, reducing water use and using old irrigation methods.

Rich soil is the key to having a bountiful garden and getting the most out of scarce water resources, which is why the Dervaes’ have mulched and composted their soil extensively. Over the years they’ve added so much natural fertilizer to their soil that they now have a foot and a half more soil than their next-door neighbors.
“We don’t waste anything and we have five composting areas around here. When you put the good soil [dirt with animal fertilizer] on the plants they immediately have a kind of insurance against water stress and drought because the soil’s good and the plants have good root systems because they go down,” said Dervaes.

To learn more about conserving water, Jules Dervaes and his family turned to the Internet. Researching old methods of irrigation, they found a system used in ancient China, Rome and Egypt and still used around the world to this day. The system is called “ollas,” the Spanish term for bottle or jar.
Ollas irrigation is based on burying unglazed clay jars in planters or garden beds, near produce, and filling the jars up with water. Unglazed clay pottery leeches moisture, making it a poor container for holding water for long periods of time. When the ollas are buried to the throat in soil, the jar loses water, dripping deep in the soil, near the roots of the plants. It acts as a constant drip irrigation system, but because water is below the surface, it’s not lost in the sun’s evaporating rays and the plants get only the water they need.

The family’s “computerized, automatic-timed waterer,” son Justin, also waters the garden beds by hand, using a watering wand and a hose, which means water is used appropriately where it’s most needed. Each type of plant is watered based on its needs and its size. This customized watering is much different than the sprinkler irrigation systems used in large commercial farms, where sprinklers shoot water over acres and water is lost to evaporation and scatter.

The Dervaes’ reuse their water as well. During the summer, family members use an outdoor shower shed and biodegradable soaps, so water is rinsed off into the ground, nourishing fig tree and sugarcane poles; clothing is washed in an Amish-style crank washbasin, water and biodegradable detergents siphoned off to water their avocado tree.

Read full article>>

On the homestead in New Zealand, there was a huge cistern that collected rainwater for the household. On the Florida homestead, we had a well; but, here on our city homestead, it's all about conservation and collection of potable water.

Our water journey started back in early 90's when So Cal was going through a servere drought and Farmer D took the first "radical" step by smothering our front lawn to grow food.   Mulching heavily and hauling buckets of greywater from the house, we started on the path towards cutting our water useage.

What about rainwater?

In 2006, we removed our old (slightly dilapidated) shingle roof and installed a metal one that's better equipped for rainwater harvest; however, our "official" rainwater harvesting project is still on hold tuntil we put gutters on this old house; but, in the meantime, we use buckets and 55 gallon drums to collect the water.  Every bit helps!

One of the most frequently asked questions is about water and awhile back I put together a list of some of the "Water Wise Ways" we've adopted here on the urban homestead.  Check out the list

Since this list, we've successfully cut our water useage in 1/2 while maintaining our high harvest yields.  Our water bill for the entire year (including personal use) is $600

This month, we are taking steps forward on the water front.   We are converting even more beds and garden space to the highly efficient clay pot irrigation method and almost completing one of our greywater projects that will divert the used bath water to water our trees and garden.

Not to mention the aquaponics project. We gals have our critters and Justin, well, he's just crazy over these fish.  We tell him you can't pet fish and our critters are cuter.  hehe

But he's really stoked about his new project - think it's because it reminds him of the time spent fishing on the bay (Tampa Bay) with Grandpa.  I dug up this "flash from the past" pic of Justin fishing with "Pop Pop"

Speaking of fish and water.

Back on our 10 acres in Florida, Farmer D made a huge pond and filled it with fish.  I remember plowing through the tall grasses with our bamboo fishing poles, hanging out at sunset (good fishing time), always on the look out for slimy water moccasins and the ever imaginary phantom gator that we hoped never stalked our pond, though there were signs of a visit from one!

What is 'Aquaponics'

Aquaponics by definition is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Nutrient rich fish water is pumped from the fish tank into gravel beds, where plants growing in the gravel extract the nutrients from the water. The water then drains back into the fish tank cleaned of excess nutrients and freshly oxygenated.

With this system we can grow a supply of fresh herbs, vegetables and fresh fish growing right outside our back patio.m with no chemicals and no wastes, using about one tenth of the water required for normal vegetable growing.

More on that later.  But now for pictures!

Digging a trench

Bathwater diverted out into the yard

and out into the garden

to the raised beds

and under the raised beds

In goes our homegrown dirt - last year's compost!

More ollas in bed

A study by the University of Pretoria showed results of "water savings between 50% and 70% are achievable with the clay pot irrigation system.”

You can purchase ollas via our online store

Putting ollas into the established herb garden out front

Clay pot irrigated herb bed - done!

Hey,  fishy fishy

Weekend Wanderings

Farmers Justin & Sergio visit the local nursery that's right across the street from our urban homestead and check out the vegetable selection looking for heirlooms.

Then onto another nursery around the corner where they check out the dirt.  Of course, we didn't need dirt but as you know there's something with farmers and dirt.  *grin*

Goat walk.  I hang with the ladies (scratching Blackberry) while Jordanne forges for goat food (oak leaves, sycamore, acacia, wild buckwheat, etc)

I harvest some wild edibles

On the way home from the goat walk - view of the mountains and majestic sky

Cast-away!

Re-purposing.  Betty, our longtime friend and knitting mentor, gave me a sweater that wasn't finished.  Ripping, winding and re knitting into a cute little shrug for sis.

Daily Bread

No knead bread is a staple here on the urban homestead.  No Knead Bread recipe

Tasty Treats

Jordanne, who loves to bake, whips up a tasty meyer lemon pound cake made with duck eggs.  Oh so good.

Beeing A Good Neighbor

Another urban beekeeper.  Justin (above) helps out a newbie beekeeper (below) who's rescuing feral bees in the area

"Newbee" David shows off his bee colony

Ollas Go to School

A bunch of ollas (in stock and available) find homes at a new school garden in Pasadena.  (Photo courtesy of Sarah & Terry) Awesome work - way to grow! Looking forward to seeing more photos  as the garden grows.

Download OLLA PLATING GUIDE for spacing details, suggestions

Or see how we use OLLAS in our garden and noticed dramatic results

A homegrown revolution! Our Freedom Garden planted with Freedom Seeds

GOOD NEWS! For those of you who have been trying to order from  Freedom Seeds the other day and had some troubles.  The "Secure Certificate" has been renewed and we are happily back in business!

Coming up

Smokin compost pile, Amy our duck update, grey water project, and new graphs & stats.

What would you like to see pictured here in these popular pictorial post.  Speak up!

VOTE FOR OUR PROJECT in TWO CATEGORIES!

Don't forget: you can vote once a day, and you do not have to sign up for anything.

Vote Now

Plant Pottery That Works

The buried clay pot or pitcher method of irrigation is one of the most efficient systems known and is ideal for gardeners and small farmers. Buried clay pot irrigation uses a buried, unglazed clay pot filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants as the water seeps out through the clay wall at a rate that is influenced by the plant’s water use.

This leads to very high efficiency–considerably better than drip irrigation and many times better than conventional surface irrigation.

When should you use clay pots?

Buried clay pot irrigation should be considered wherever water conservation is important. It will probably continue to prove most valuable for producing high value crops in dry lands. Buried clay pot irrigation is also valuable for food production and revegetation of areas affected by salinity or where only saline water is available for irrigation.

Buried clay pot irrigation is also valuable for gardening, landscaping, and growing plants in containers. It can be very effective for plants that are prone to diseases from over watering or wetting leaves by sprinkling. It could also be of commercial value for many situations encountered in landscaping, gardening, and plant propagation.

The Fan Sheng-chih Shu (the first agricultural science text book) describes the use of buried clay pot irrigation in China more than 2,000 years ago. It is likely buried clay pot irrigation had been used for many decades or centuries before this description was published. Current practices remain much the same.

—-writings courtesy of David A. Bainbridge

Now is the time to start thinking about spring.

Stock up on one of the hottest item on our online store

We’ve been using this simple, yet effective clay pot irrigation system throughout the garden and even making “self watering pots” for the last four or so years.  I have written many a blog post and shared many photos of how we go about using ollas in the garden.    In our observation we have found that the plants are healthier, less stressed which means less disease and extended growing season.

Here's how we use them here on our urban homestead.

How's your summer garden shaping up?  Care to share?

The weather has been pleasant, even on the cool side.  The day starts off overcast with slight to partial clearing around lunch.    Looks like no more rain for the season.  This year's rainfall totals are definitely lower than normal.  2008-09 is the third dry year for our state and Pasadena is already proposing water rates increase.

A possible solution to LA's water crisis went down the drain Back in the 1990's I remember as a kid using the bucket greywater method - aka bucket brigade.  We'd haul our bath water out in 5 gallon buckets to water the vegetables (corn and squash) that we had growing in the front yard at the time.    Hmmm front yard farming, using greywater aren't subversive acts anymore!  So what we did as kids wasn't weird, we were just ahead of our time!

By going "backwards," you take steps forward!

Swiss chard lit by soft sunlight

Front yard farming - mixture of herbs, veggies and berries

Garden propaganda nestled among the chard, blueberries and apple trees

Tomato and clay pot irrigation beds- one planted and one (almost) ready to go

Turning under the spent green crops and "summerizing" the yard as Justin says

Gorgeous (and edible) nasturtiums add color throughout the yard

Soft salmon nasturtiums twine their way up the dwarf peach trees

Is it dinner time yet?

Pineapple guava blooms

Herbs and veggies in one of our many clay pot irrigation beds

Seeding swiss chard and lettuces

There's green beans in the garden.... almost!  French Provider seeds courtesy of FREEDOM SEEDS

Tomato trellis time

Our first tomato of the season

I still can't get over the simple beauty of these clay pots, they just look so lovely all together with the shadows playing off their curvaceous sides.

We've been using this simple, yet effective clay pot irrigation system throughout the garden and even making "self watering pots" for the last three or so years.  I have written many a blog post and shared many photos of how we go about using ollas in the garden.    In our observation we have found that the plants are healthier, less stressed which means less disease and extended growing season.

With the looming water crisis here in So Cal we feel that a little investment now will pay off in the future.   Now if only we had room for a load of clay and a kiln and we'd be in business!

Care to share your ollas "growing" observations, blog posts etc?

The buried clay pot or pitcher method of irrigation is one of the most efficient systems known and is ideal for gardeners and small farmers. Buried clay pot irrigation uses a buried, unglazed clay pot filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants as the water seeps out through the clay wall at a rate that is influenced by the plant's water use.

This leads to very high efficiency--considerably better than drip irrigation and many times better than conventional surface irrigation.

When should you use clay pots?

Buried clay pot irrigation should be considered wherever water conservation is important. It will probably continue to prove most valuable for producing high value crops in dry lands. Buried clay pot irrigation is also valuable for food production and revegetation of areas affected by salinity or where only saline water is available for irrigation.

Buried clay pot irrigation is also valuable for gardening, landscaping, and growing plants in containers. It can be very effective for plants that are prone to diseases from over watering or wetting leaves by sprinkling. It could also be of commercial value for many situations encountered in landscaping, gardening, and plant propagation.

The Fan Sheng-chih Shu (the first agricultural science text book) describes the use of buried clay pot irrigation in China more than 2,000 years ago. It is likely buried clay pot irrigation had been used for many decades or centuries before this description was published. Current practices remain much the same.

----writings courtesy of David A. Bainbridge

:: RESOURCES ::

Pitcher irrigation: a water saving technique

Buried Clay Pot Irrigation

“There is a myth that there are agricultural societies, and then there are industrial societies and service societies, as if when you become an industrial or service society you don’t need food,” she says. “As we hit climate chaos, as we hit peak oil, assuming that you can get your food from far away and use fossil-fuel-intensive systems to produce food is totally not sustainable. Bringing food security close to home will have to be the project of the future.”

Indian environmental activist Vandana Shiva on how economic salvation may be as close as the dirt under our feet.

We got some April showers last night!  What a blessings!  There's still a chance of more rain later today and we are praying the rain down.

Planting, planting and more planting.  It's that time again to get all the crops sown and into the ground.

Of course our goats want to get in on the action (fun) too!   Fairlight, curious as always,  wants to know what Justin is doing will all those soil blocks in the greenhouse.  To the right of the photo a few homemade self watering containers using ollas and in the blue bucket the nettle tea is brewing or more like fermenting in its own juices.

A bed of Provider beans are looking good - filling out the bed very nicely.

The green crops are lush not to mention FULL of what every gardener loves to see LADYBUGS!  In the photo is bed of nutritious kale that we are growing in the front yard.

Here's a handful of celery harvested to make a special vegetarian lasagna dish (note the "gardeners bandage" - good ol' duct tape)

Soil blocks of lemon cucumber are ready to transplant from greenhouse into the ground.

Soil blocks of squash are ready to go into the ground too.

Another round of squash will be planted in soil blocks today - yellow crookneck, black beauty, baby blue hubbard, burgess buttercup and musque de provence pumpkin along with a winter squash seed given to us by a Freedom Gardener or "farmer" I should say.

Our family is really feeling empowered this year with our Freedom Garden which is nearing 4000 members btw -- WOW!   Not only are we continuing to grow closer to home but the seeds we are sowing are free of any corporate controls but what really is wonderful to see not only the cultivation of hundreds of backyard, patio and front yard gardens but the growing community full of wonderful, helpful folks.   If you haven't already signed up to this growing social network, it's free so what are you waiting for!  Let's get growing....

Inch by inch row by row freedom grows!

BTW don't forget to check out the FREEDOM GARDENER OF THE MONTH! Featuring a family who is passionate about growing, preserving and caring for all creatures great and small.

With the spring Holy season upon us, wishing everyone a blessed, bountiful and productive year.

Our water saving ollas were featured in the latest issue of NATURAL HOME (pg 65)

PLANT POTTERY THAT WORKS

If you live in an arid climate or an area that suffers from drought, try giving you garden a sip from a bottle.  OLLAS are unglazed pottery jugs that can be "planted" alongside your veggies or flowers, then filled with water from a hose when the weather heats up.  "The ollas is so old it's new again - it originated about 2,000 years ago." proprietor Jues Dervaes says.  "It uses capillary action and wicks water throught he porous clay to the soil.  We call it the original drip irrigation system."    The ollas are sold through Peddler's Wagon, the Dervaes family' home-based business.

I've touched on ollas in the past, ever since we put in our clay pot irrigation bed back in 2005.  Since then we've used them throughout the garden and in pots (making great 'self watering-like' containers)   We found out that the plants grow faster, better and stronger near the ollas.   OK, at first we thought it was just us and our biased observation but then we heard similar reports back from customers.  These things really work.

Here are a few past entry highlights from LHITC

OLLAS

USING OLLAS

OLLAS IN CONTAINERS (pictures provided another LA urban homesteader)

CLAY POT IRRIGATION

PHOTO GALLERY OF CLAY POT INSTALLATION

We received another shipment of ollas today. For those of you who have ollas on backorder - the wait is over! Thanks for your patience.

We've been increasing this effective clay pot irrigation method here on the urban homestead. To conserve even more water this season, we are adding ollas many of our raised beds and containers. Having first used this method of irrigation about 3 years ago we have noticed a considerable difference in the growth of plants that are planted near the ollas. The plants are healthier and their growing season is slightly extended since they don't seem to get stressed due to the constant flow of underground moisture.

What is an Olla?

An ollas (pronounced oh-yah) is a handmade terracotta clay pot used as an ancient method of drip irrigation for container gardening or ground applications. Ancient agrarian cultures living in or near desert regions have used olla irrigation methods for millennia. Thought to have originated in Northern Africa and brought to the Americas by the conquistadors, research has also found ollas used in China over 4000 years ago.

How to Use an Olla

1. Bury the Olla in soil leaving the neck exposed.

2. Plant seeds or plants within 2” – 5” radius based on olla size.

3. Fill the Olla with water and let it do the work.

The water slowly seeps through the unglazed porous clay, directly irrigating roots that will encircle the jar to absorb leaking moisture.

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 they dramatically reduce the need to water.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How often does an Olla need to be filled with water?
A: Depending on factors such as the plant’s water needs, soil type, time of year, and environment Ollas may need filling weekly or daily. Always check the moisture level of the soil before refilling because an empty Olla doesn’t necessarily mean the plant needs more watering.

Q: What size Olla should I use?
A: As a general guide, smaller Ollas are good for container gardening. The larger Ollas are good for larger containers or outside ground applications. A plant’s water needs should also determine the Olla size (tomatoes and melons and other high water plants need a larger Olla)

Q: Should I take my Ollas out of the ground for the winter?
A: Probably to be safe. Our research has shown damage to some Ollas (out of hundreds) when left buried in the ground over winter. If you live in a region where it does not freeze, you might be able to leave them in the ground. You can leave Ollas in your indoor plants for as many years as your like.

Also check out our previous journal entries

Readers, do you have any ollas "discoveries" to add? How are they working in your garden?