This Ancient Hack Might Be the Future of How We Live
August 7, 2025
Source: Reddit
In a world of high-tech sprinklers and automated gardening apps, it is great to see a centuries-old system make its way back into backyard gardens—the olla irrigation system. This ancient garden watering technique, rooted in history, offers a fascinating alternative.
If you have ever seen what looks like small ceramic pots buried neck-deep in a garden bed, possibly even with a lid on it, then you have seen an olla (pronounced oy-yah). These simple, unglazed clay pots have a long history. Used for thousands of years by ancient cultures across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas with a surprisingly modern purpose—efficient, smart gardening watering.
What is an Olla?
An olla is a round, porous clay foil buried in the soil, with just its neck above ground. Gardeners used to fill it with water, and through a natural process called osmosis, water will trickle slowly through the walls of the pot. The soil will essentially pull the water, and the plant will drink it straight out of the soil up by the roots. It’s an ancient garden watering technique still relevant today.
It is remarkably efficient since it diminishes evaporation and run-off; plants are never too wet or too dry. And since the water is underground, it’s great for hot or dry climates where surface watering evaporates before reaching the root zone.
Why Do Gardeners Love Ollas Today
In a water-conscious world, the olla irrigation system provides a wonderful nostalgic yet brilliant solution. Not only is it simple, it is also low-maintenance, and great for tightly packed vegetables patches or raised beds. Gardeners just need to refill the olla every few days, and let the plants, which are watered at the root zone using this ancient technique, do the rest.
Also, because ollas only water the root zone, they cut back on weeds—no wasting water in-between plants.
Bringing Back the Old Ways
Seeing these capped jars in a neighbor’s garden might feel a bit like stepping into a time machine, and in a way, it is. The olla system connects us to ancient wisdom—reminding us that sometimes the old ways of doing things weren’t just good… they were genius. The ancient garden watering technique embodied by ollas is one such example.
So, if you are planning next season’s garden, or if you are just looking for a sustainable way to keep plants happy, you should consider trying the olla. It is a quiet, efficient gardener’s helper that has been working underground for generations.