The Cool Down
Gardener shares ancient self-watering plant hack using common household items: …
The olla irrigation system, which translates to 'pot' in Spanish, is an ancient self-watering technique for your garden.
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Ancient Watering Secret: Build Your Own Efficient Self-Watering Garden System
A recent video from the Pend Oreille Innovation Center showcases a time-tested method for efficient garden irrigation: the 'olla pot' system. This technique, dating back 4,000 years, utilizes unglazed terracotta pots to slowly release water directly to plant roots, significantly reducing evaporation and runoff compared to conventional watering. The tutorial, led by the center's team, demonstrates the simple assembly process. Two 6-inch terracotta pots are sealed at the bottom with a cork and Gorilla Glue, then joined together. A smaller 4-inch pot is added on top to serve as a refill reservoir. As explained in the video, 'water is what actually activates the Gorilla Glue,' ensuring a secure seal. This self-regulating system provides continuous moisture to plants, only releasing water as needed by the surrounding soil. While the system is not suitable for freezing conditions, the Pend Oreille Innovation Center notes that it can be used year-round in controlled greenhouse environments. The video highlights the system's efficiency and ease of construction, even suggesting it as a family-friendly weekend project to engage children in gardening.
