Ep. 23 - Gardening tips - ollas

00:07 Today we're going to explore an ancient irrigation system that is still the best answer to watering your potted plants.

00:09 My issue with standard drip systems is that when you're using it for pots on your patio or out in your yard, you've got all that nasty black tubing snaking from pot to pot and it's just plain ugly.

00:27 That's why I prefer the system using ollas. Ollas were created by native peoples in hot climates to help water their crops. They are clay pots with narrow necks that were buried in the garden and filled with water. As they are not glazed, the pots leak water slowly through their sides, watering the vegetables.

00:57 You can still find ollas for sale but they are expensive. The good news is that you can make your own for very little money. Just two clay pots from the dollar store and some silicone.

01:18 I made one, buried it in a pot, put it out in the full sun in July in Phoenix, filled it up, and then tested it every day and the water lasted for an entire week.

01:29 The only way I can keep mint going during the summer is to put the pots in the shade and keep the ollas filled.

01:34 You can make your own ollas with just two clay pots and silicone sealer. Be sure to seal only one end, keeping the other free to add water, then bury them to within about a half an inch of the top.

01:51 I found that 4-inch clay pots were the perfect size for my 15-gallon planters.

01:54 Pay attention to the hole size when buying your pots. Small holes like the pot on the left are very difficult to add water to and require a funnel. Look for pots with larger holes, you can easily fill them with a watering can.