Published by the Hill Country Sun.
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Dripping Texas For Springs, advertising, call 512-484-9716
or email julie@hillcountrysun.com
August 2013
LOCAL INFORMATION & ADVERTISING
Super-efficient garden irrigation with ollas
T
By Laurel Robertson
he most ancient, low-tech garden irrigation system known to humans may be the newest, most efficient watering method now available to Hill Country gardeners trying to produce a bumper crop of tomatoes in withering summer heat. Ollas are unglazed clay pots buried and filled with water to provide irrigation to surrounding plants. The water seeps through the unglazed porous clay at a rate influenced by the “pull” of the plants’ roots, never wasting a single drop. According to City of Austin Water Conservation 2006, “Ollas virtually eliminate the runoff and evaporation common in modern irrigation systems, allowing the plant to absorb nearly 100 percent of water.” And since they need filling only a
couple of times a week (via the olla’s small neck that extends above the soil), they make the perfect watering system for hot and dry growing conditions – like here! The only drawback? “I couldn’t find any,” recounts Lori Haynes, owner and entrepreneur behind Dripping Springs OLLAS. After a career traveling the world as a military spouse, Lori couldn’t wait to put down roots in the Hill Country and begin gardening. And like many in this region, she depended on rainwater collection and needed a water-wise way to irrigate. Lori researched ollas and was interested to learn they were believed to have originated in Northern Africa with evidence of use in China more than 4000 See DRIPPING SPRINGS OLLAS, Page 2
Local entrpeneur, Lori Haynes, owner of Dripping Springs OLLAS, at her booth at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market. Photo courtesy Dripping Springs OLLAS.
THANK YOU for supporting one of Dripping Spring’s locally owned businesses!
LY PROUD DENT!
INDEPEN
100 Commons Road, #1 • 512-858-7935 • 512-894-0285 • drippingspringspharmacy.com
Two Convenient Ways to get Your Prescriptions! 1. We will deliver directly to your home or business …. FREE!
(Anywhere in Northern Hays Co, Lakeway & Bee Cave)
2. Curbside Cell Phone Lot (park outside of the pharmacy & call us 512-858-7935 & we will come to your vehicle for service)