Using ollas in gardens is one of the most efficient hydration methods for your plants and has been around for centuries! Ollas pronounced as Oyas is an in-ground hydration source that I prefer to use in my Hugelkultur Raised Beds.
Don’t know what those are? Check out my post, Hügelkultur Raised Beds that Are Amazingly Easy to Build, where I give you the benefits of these raised beds! I LOVE mine!
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How Do You Make Homemade Ollas?
Making homemade ollas is super inexpensive compared to an actual one-piece olla from Mexico. You can get your terracotta pots at your local Walmart!
Not only that, but you can also follow along to my blog and video as I show you how to make your very own at Oyas and Ollas Made with Two Clay Pots!
Do Ollas Really Work?
If built correctly, Ollas do really work. How you may ask? First, you perform a water test (don’t waste your water), then plant them in the ground with approximately a two-inch headspace above ground level, finish filling them up with water, and then pack dirt back around it.
If the clay pots have a sealant coat on them, they will not work. The sealant coat prevents any liquids from escaping the inside of the pot and that’s not what you want. The idea of ollas is to let the water seep out of the unsealed pot into the roots of your flowers so that they aren’t straining themselves for water.
Watch the How to Use Ollas Video Tutorial
How to Check for Leakage When Using Ollas?
To check for leakage in your ollas, you must first perform a water test. BY doing a water test, you are ensuring that all your seals at the bottom of the olla and around where the two terracotta pots combine are sealed.
If the seal is broken, the olla can’t hold a hefty amount of water, and also allows bugs the ability to get inside your pots. No worries if your seal is broken, just pat dry, reseal, and let it sit for 6 more hours, and redo your water test!
How Often Do You Refill Ollas?
When using ollas, you want to refill them at least once a week. The temperature plays a key factor in how often you really need to fill your ollas up.
The higher the temperature, the hotter the soil will be meaning your ollas will require more hydration! However, on the hottest days, I fill mine maybe 2-3 times a week.
How to Use Fertilizer When Refilling Ollas
Since ollas are a form of a root watering system, they are more beneficial when adding liquid fertilizer. The liquid fertilizer coincides with the water and leeches out of the olla to the roots of the plants where it is much needed.
I like to substitute fish emulsion and manure tea on a month-to-month basis. Interested in trying a new way to fertilize your garden this year?
Definitely check out my two posts on my fertilizers of choice, Fish Emulsion, How to Make and Use, and How to Make Manure Tea in Two Ways!
What Can I Put On Top Of My Ollas?
On the top center of your ollas is your watering hole, you want to cover this hole so that no snakes, toads, or bugs get inside and scare you or even worse drown. Not covering this hole also affects how often you have to add water as the sun will continually evaporate your water!
I like to tell everyone, the sky is the limit with the possibilities for this option, however, my favorites would be the old hold/cold sink knobs, or even a terracotta pot bottom with a hydration station for the beautiful butterflies! I love butterflies, so check out my post Attract More Butterflies In 10 Easy Steps!
In Conclusion Using Ollas in Gardens
In conclusion to using ollas in gardens, these are very beneficial and I personally recommend going and making your own to keep your flower babies nice and hydrated during this hot spring and summer!
Want to know more about why they’re called “ollas”, check out Wiki’s post on Olla for more information!
More Valuable Garden Links
It’s Springtime and you know what that means! Time to plant those seeds, and if you haven’t gotten your seeds yet, here is a tip! Dollar Tree is the best place you can go! 5 Shocking Reasons To Buy Dollar Tree Seeds will tell you exactly why they have the best seeds but have no fear! Once you get your seeds, let me help you with your Seed Organization In 6 Amazingly Simple Ways!
When you start your seed babies, make sure you read into it because let me tell you, Vermiculite Vs Perlite is a complete gardening game changer!
Interested in more gardening tips and tricks? Visit 12 Gardening Tips for Beginners to learn the basics needed to plant your own garden!
Vertical Gardens for Small Spaces is also beneficial, and gives you the opportunity to plant a garden with minimal space needed!
Want to learn how to make your own natural soil for your new garden? Check out Making Compost Naturally into Gardening Soil. Don’t know what you can compost? Many Incredible Uses for Eggshells will help start some ideas!
Need some ideas on what to grow this year in your garden? 11 Great Plants to Regrow From Cuttings is all you need!
Now that you’ve grown your garden, a couple of key factors to make your bounty last longer that would be beneficial would be Methods of Drying Herbs and Dehydrate Food Naturally Using a Dehydrator. These methods allow you to keep what you have grown all year round for your enjoyment!
You’ve grown your garden, but did you grow your gourds? You should’ve! Growing Gourds for Birdhouses, in Containers and For-Profit, can show you the many different ideas that you can make with all different types of gourds!
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