DIY Olla: A Simple Garden Watering Trick That Really Works

“An olla is a terracotta vessel you bury beside your plants. It slowly seeps moisture into the soil, helping reduce the need for daily watering.”

A simple solution? An olla. This clever, traditional tool offers a low-maintenance way to water your plants slowly and effectively. In this article, I’m sharing how to make your own homemade version using a couple of inexpensive materials.

An olla is a terracotta vessel you bury beside your plants. You fill it with water, which gradually seeps through the porous clay into the soil. This keeps the surrounding area moist and reduces the need for daily watering.

What You’ll Need

• Two small terracotta pots

• Pond sealant or silicone-based watertight sealant

• A couple of large stones or slate chips

Step 1: Prepare Your Pots

Make sure your pots are clean and free from dirt. If you’re using new pots, you can skip this step. If not, give them a thorough wash with warm soapy water and scrub off any debris using a nail brush or scouring pad. You can find suitable pots at DIY stores, but they’re often even cheaper at car boot sales or salvage yards. This is a low-cost project, so there’s no need to spend a fortune.

Step 2: Seal the Drainage Hole

Take one of your pots and seal the hole at the bottom using your pond or silicone sealant. I’ve used the same pond silicone I used previously to make a mini wildlife pond from an old sink. Apply a generous layer of sealant around the inside of the hole, then press in a stone or a slate chip. This will stop the water from escaping too quickly.

Step 3: Attach the Pots Together

Next, apply another generous layer of sealant around the rim of the first pot. Carefully place the second pot upside down on top, aligning them so they sit snugly together. Press down gently to seal them. It might look a bit messy at this point, but you can smooth any excess with a cloth or another stone. Don’t worry too much about how it looks. Once it’s buried, you won’t see it.

Step 4: Leave to Dry and Place in the Garden

Let the olla dry overnight. Once it’s completely set, you can bury it in your garden. While they work well in beds and borders, they’re especially useful in large containers, which dry out much faster in warm weather. Bury your olla deep enough so that just the top is visible above the soil. Fill it with water and place another stone on top to stop insects and small animals from climbing in.

“simple sustainable and effective- Why not give it a try?” - Adam