Sustainable Irrigation for your Vegetable Garden

Buried Clay Pots

This method of irrigation was invented by farmers in Northern Africa thousands of years ago. Unglazed clay pots are porous which allows water to seep out slowly. This type of irrigation is up to 10 times more efficient than watering plants from above with sprinklers or watering cans, and because it is such an economical way of watering, domestic rainwater barrels can provide all your garden irrigation needs. This method is also cheaper and more reliable than many drip or spray irrigation systems which often clog with foreign particles.

The pot needs to be unglazed and be able to hold between two to five litres of water. The rims of the pot can be painted with non-toxic paint to further reduce evaporation and make the pots visible. This saves them being smashed by the lawn mower! The pots need firmly fitted lids to prevent mosquitoes living in them. A small hole in the lid can allow rainwater to drain into the pot.

To install a pot dig a hole three times as wide and two times as deep as the buried clay pot. Mix compost, or sand if soil is heavy. Set the pot in place with rim around 2cm above the surface. Firm soil around pot and place lid on. Fill the pot with water and observe how far the soil is wetted away from pot. In most soil the plants need to be within 5cm of pot. Check pots often. In hot weather small pots will need refilling every 2-3 days, larger ones every week.

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