I kept this olla from the most recent batch because it formed a hairline crack in the neck. Imperfect but still useful. I’m using it to irrigate my favorite warm-weather leafy greens, giant red mustard.

For best results, you have to dig deep and bury the olla all the way up to its neck, compensating for the fact that soil settles with repeat watering. You want moisture underground directed at the roots, not evaporating into the air. #gardening #OllasByOsa

I was able to regain my wheel throwing abilities and produce my first batch of ollas for the year. I began making these garden irrigation tools last year, right around the time I joined Mastodon. We were experiencing drought (as we are again this year) and I decided to make use of this ancient #gardening solution.

Pictured below is the medium size that holds about 1.5 liters. I also make a 3L size and then a small size for potted plants. Check #OllasByOsa for more info. #pottery

@ai6yr Yeah, I'm a professional potter. For my largest olla that irrigates my bananas, I coil built it. It holds about 4 gallons. Check out #OllasByOsa
I took the opportunity of a relatively cool, overcast day to feed the plantain tree. I gave it some chicken manure pellets and compost. Between the semi-regular rainfall and the olla, I haven’t had to hand water at all. I planted this guild of plantains, sweet potatoes and Thai red roselle in March. The largest plantain pup had two leaves on it at the time. I hope to see it flower by the end of the year. #zone10 #gardening #OllasByOsa #Subtropical #Florida #pottery
All three sizes, all fired up 🔥 Ancient irrigation technology for the future 🚀
To see my past olla posts and learn more, hit the hashtag: #OllasByOsa
#pottery #gardening

I just finished another batch of garden ollas. They’re drying in the sun now and I’ll fire them later this evening. Afterward they’ll be a nice, rich terracotta red.

The one in these photos is the smallest size (for smaller outdoor containers or very thirsty houseplants). They’re the most challenging to make because I wheel throw them upside down.

#OllasByOsa #gardening #SustainableGardening #pottery #alttext

I thought I’d be able to give my big banana olla a rest since rainy season has begun, but we just went a week without rain. These plants are such big drinkers, that the extra irrigation is still helpful. It’s a pleasure watching life congregate around the pot which we fill with #rainwater. When you dig up an olla after a season of gardening, you can see how the roots have wrapped themselves around it, seeking hydration. #OllasByOsa #SustainableGardening #handmade #pottery #irrigation #gardening
I’m working on completing a batch of ollas before I leave for the #ceramics symposium in Virginia next week. We’re finally having days of consecutive rain, marking the beginning of storm season and hopefully the end of our two-year drought. That means I get to give the ollas in my garden a rest for the time being while other regions, particularly out West, move into a dry season during which ollas would be a helpful, sustainable irrigation solution. #OllasByOsa #pottery #gardening
My instincts to start making ollas this winter were spot on. We’re experiencing intense drought that began late fall 2024 and this, along with our sandy soils, has made #gardening challenging. Last month, I made this large custom olla to deliver rainwater to my plantain pups. Since then, they’ve steadily put on new leaves. I companion planted sweet potatoes & marigolds beneath the plantains and everything is hydrated & happy, using about 70% less water than surface watering. #OllasByOsa

New batch of ollas coming down the pipelines. The repetition of creating these simple forms is grounding, calming. If you haven’t seen my previous posts on these #SustainableGardening tools, check #OllasByOsa.

#pottery #ceramics #gardening #irrigation #AncientTechnology #WaterConservation