Olla (pronounced oy-ya) is Spanish for clay pot, and work as a garden irrigation system that saves water. 1

The terracotta pots are buried in the soil, and filled with water. That water then slowly seeps into the soil while being protected from surface evaporation. They may save between 60 – 70% of water when compared to the conventional watering can. 1

They are thought to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, and have seen use around the world. 2

“To maximize impact, place ollas every 2 – 3 feet in the garden. Larger ollas, with a 2 or more-gallon capacity, can be placed up to 3 – 4 feet apart.“ [1]

Today, there are many different options: including watering spikes, traditional style olla, and irrigation-ready olla.

Make Your Own:

If you can not afford or find a traditional Olla, you can create your own.

Supplies:

• Two plain terracotta pots
• Terracotta pot saucer/base
• Silicone glue or another sealant of your choice
• A flat rock or pot saucer

Instructions:

1. Fill the drainage hole of one of the pots with the silicone glue. Allow it to fully set.
2. Use the glue to seal top rims of the two pots together. Allow the glue to fully set.
3. Dig a hole in your garden deep enough for the top edge of the pot to be just above the soil.
4. Place in the pot so that the unfilled drainage hole is to the top. Fill in the dirt, leaving the top uncovered.
5. Fill the pot with water. This is much easier with a funnel (if you have one).
6. Place the rock or pot saucer over the hole to keep anything from falling in.

#gardening #FarmingAndGardening #farming #water #ollas #olla

With hydroponics, you replace soil for water and liquid fertilizers.

Hydroponics are becoming more and more popular in an urban setting, because they can be grown in small spaces (such as apartment buildings), and can be built into most unused spaces. For example, in Alberta, Canada, a family converted an unused school into a hydroponic farm that provides fruits and veggies for their town all year. [1]

Setups for hydroponics can range from large factories, to just a small setup on a kitchen counter.

Hydroponics will not work for all crop types (such as trees), and fruits that require pollination may have to be hand-pollinated.

Hydroponic Benefits:

• Can enable year-round growing.
• Reduce water usage (compared to conventional farming).
• No weeds.
• They do not require soil, which drastically cuts down the chance of pests.
• Can bring food options into food deserts
• Can be grown in restrictive spaces (such as indoors).
• Can avoid harsh weather by being able to be grown in doors

DIY Basic Hydroponics

Supplies:

• Bin with a lid
• Drill and drill bit
• Hydroponic baskets
• Lava stones or other filler
• Aquarium bubbler
• Hydroponic fertilizer solution
• Water
• Seedlings

Instructions:

1. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than the rim of your baskets, drill holes in the lid. Be sure to leave gaps between holes.
2. Drill a hole for the cable of the aquarium bubbler
3. Fill the bin with water and add the fertilizer solution
4. Put on the lid and place baskets into their holes.
5. Place seedlings into the baskets with the lava stones
6. Turn on the bubbler

Make sure the setup is in a sunny location, otherwise you will need a grow light.

DIY Window Hydroponics:

NPR and Window Farms

Do you have plastic bottles sitting around? You could consider turning them into a window food garden!

You’ll of course need plants that do not get too big (such as dwarf tomato plants instead of full-sized).

If your window does not get enough sunlight, you may also have to supplement that with grow lights and a plug timer.

Supplies:

• used water bottles or pop bottles
• a pump kit (with tubing and joints)
• a bucket of water
• growing substrate
• a hanging anchor kit
• silicone steel tube
• chain (for hanging)
• tools (electric drill, plier, hole punch)

… and convert them into a tiny food garden that hangs by your window. Here is a full tutorial on the setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igWJ8uqy4

---

#greenliving #farming #gardening #hydroponics #FarmingAndGardening

Aquaponics is similar to hydroponics, but makes use of fish to create fertilizer-rich water (from fish waste) for the plants to thrive. In turn, the plants help clean the water for the fish.

You can put the pumps, lights, and fish feeders on timers to automate them, and even use fish types people eat for fish farming.

Aquaponic Benefits:

• Can enable year-round growing.
• Reduce water usage (compared to conventional farming).
• No weeds.
• Can provide two income sources (plants and fish) [1]
• Can bring food options into food deserts [2]

Common Aquaponic Fish Mistakes

• Over-crowded tanks. Too many fish in a tank causes stress, poor water quality, and can increase the chance of disease outbreaks.[3]
• No Light. Fish need a cycle between light and dark to regulate their circadian rhythm just like people do,[4], so aquaponic fish either need artificial lighting, or a tank that gets sunlight.
• No Gravel: Gravel is not just for appearance, it can also help regulate the water quality for fish, provide enrichment, and reduce reflections. [5]
• No Hiding Spots: Having places to hide can make a fish feel safer and so less stressed. One easy option is driftwood. [6]
• No Bubblers: If you are not going to have water constantly flowing between your tanks and plants, then you will need bubblers to increase oxygen in the tank for the fish[7] and also reduce algae.[8]

---

Suggested Videos:

What's So Great About Aquaponics?

“Ever heard of aquaponics? In urban areas, aquaponics helps combat barriers that come with farming in cities, like lack of access to space. “

How This Aquaponics Farmer Is Reinventing Urban Agriculture

“There are so many barriers in place when it comes to growing food in cities, but education and lack of access to space are the hardest to overcome. Yemi Amu has dedicated her life as a farmer to solving this problem, by starting the only Aquaponics farm in NYC. Oko Farms in Brooklyn is both a working farm which provides fresh food to surrounding neighborhoods, while also actively engaging the public in education on how to grow food for yourself in urban environments.”

---

#farming #gardening #greenliving #aquaponics #FarmingAndGardening

Did you know that you can grow your own bath sponges?

“Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family.“ Wikipedia

Luffa plants are from southeast Asia, and can be grown in places with a long warm summer. The fruit can take a long time to grow and toughen it's inner fibers (about 150-200 days), but after that time, they are ready to become sponges. Explaining it simply, you peel the skin, wash the insides, hang them to dry, then you are done.

“Getting all the seeds out can be a challenge, but the drier the sponges are, the easier the seeds will fall out. Save the best ones for next year. You can also cut open the sponges in any shape you want to remove seeds or make a loofah fiber mat.“ luffa.info

When done, you can use the sponges for bathing, washing dishes, and even as industrial filters. [1]

---

Suggested Videos

• https://youtu.be/4ioU11rQyd8
• https://youtu.be/oq4ZgAGd-JM

---

#gardening #farming #greenliving #plasticfree #zerowaste #FarmingAndGardening

If you want an easy way to help your local pollinators, then consider building a water station. Not only do pollinators also need water to drink, but some rely on water sources for other needs: such as how a mason bee needs mud to create their nests. [1]

Many plants and crops rely on pollinators, so the more you attract and help, the healthier your garden will be. For example, bee pollination improves crop production and can increase produce shelf-life. [2]

---

Water Station Tray

Supplies:

• Tray or dish
• Rocks
• Water

Instructions:

The tray or dish is to hold everything, and the rocks are to give the pollinators something safe to land on. Without the rocks, you will likely end up with drowned bees.

Due to evaporation, you may have to fill the dish once or more a day.

---

Refilling Bowl

If you would like an option that some beekeepers even use is refilling dog bowls.

Supplies:

• Refilling dog bowl or a DIY version
• Rocks

Directions:

Put rocks into the bowl so pollinators have a safe place to land. Place the bowl in a shady spot to help reduce algae growth. [3]

#gardening #permaculture #pollinators #FarmingAndGardening

Within Arizona(USA) is a beautiful cliff-dwelling built by the Sinagua people in 1100-1425 AD. Montezuma Castle (renamed to this by colonizers) has around 20 rooms, and is built using a method that today people call “passive solar building.”

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona, USA

“In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.” Wikipedia

For the cliff dwelling, that included a design that ensured the buildings were hit with the heat of the low-winter sun, but protected from the high-summer sun by overhang. It also made use of ventilation, small windows and doors (to reduce temperature loss), and more.

For greenhouses, even in colder climates where temperatures can reach -40c(-40f), passive solar designs are enabling greenhouses to run all-year. [1]

For houses, they can save the owners money on both heating and cooling, which is why they are very common in both earth-houses [2] and earth-ship [3] designs.

Window Awnings

By reducing the need for artificial cooling and protecting windows from damage, Window Awnings support a future that's more comfortable, energy-efficient, and resilient to extreme weather.

In hot weather, windows become major heat sources—-especially those facing south or west. Sunlight pours in, heating up rooms and overworking fans or AC (if you have it). Awnings offer passive solar cooling by shading windows and blocking direct sunlight before it reaches the glass.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, awnings can reduce solar heat gain by 65% on south-facing windows, and 77% on west-facing windows. [1]

This not only cools your home naturally but also protects furniture and flooring from UV damage. Well-placed awnings also let in low winter sun, making them effective year-round in passive solar design.

Types of Awnings

• Fixed Awnings: Permanent structures that consistently block sunlight. Simple and effective for sunny windows.
• Retractable Awnings: Can be pulled in or out depending on the weather or season. More adaptable, but usually more expensive.
• Clamshell Awnings: Durable, hinged panels (often aluminum) that can be propped open for shade or dropped fully closed during storms.

Why Clamshell Awnings Deserve a Comeback

Clamshell-style awnings are a practical choice for anyone in storm-prone areas—-or for those off-grid who want a multi-use, no-power-needed solution. When closed, they form a protective shell over the window, guarding against extreme weather.

Tips for DIY Installers

• Angle awnings to block the high summer sun but allow in low winter sunlight.
• Choose durable, weather-resistant materials like aluminum, treated wood, or fabric with UV protection.
• For clamshells, check salvage yards or second-hand stores—-they're often available for cheap and easy to repaint.

---

#GreenLiving #Housing #Building #FarmingAndGardening

Dust storm approaching Stratford, Texas.

Have you heard of The Great Dust Bowl? It was a series of dust storms in the USA that were so intense, they killed crops, livestock, and people during the the great depression.

The situation was amplified by a drought, but the dust was also human caused.

“Following years of overcultivation and generally poor land management in the 1920s, the region—which receives an average rainfall of less than 20 inches (500 mm) in a typical year—suffered a severe drought in the early 1930s that lasted several years. The region’s exposed topsoil, robbed of the anchoring water-retaining roots of its native grasses, was carried off by heavy spring winds. “ Britannica[1]

This dust storm was so thick that it blocked the sun.

“Dear Mr. Roosevelt, Darkness came when it hit us. Picture taken from water tower one hundred feet high. Yours Truly, Chas. P. Williams.” An unknown author writes to Roosevelt[2]

Under the hands of desperate farmers, grasslands turned to landscapes so lifeless and dangerous, that many people abandoned their dreams and left.

Why Rototilling Harms Soil

Image source

One of the practices that amplified this disaster (that is a current farming practice to this day) is rototilling. During this, you flip the soil over, which can make planting easier. This comes with many problems, including:

• Destroying the soil microbiome. Healthy soil means healthy crops. [3]
• More weeds. As you flip your soil you are allowing dormant seeds a chance to thrive
• Soil Compaction: As the soil gets more compact, it becomes harder for roots to work through it.
• Washing or blowing away top soil. Top soil is where the heathiest soil is, and it can be washed away if left uncovered
• Drying the soil. By leaving the soil exposed you are letting the sun bake out any moisture [4]

Ways to Improve Soil Health

• Crop rotation. This is a pre-medieval technique where you rotate what crops you grow in what soil. This can add nutrients to the soil, avoid nutrient depletion, reduce diseases, and reduce pests. [5]
• Cover Crops. Never leave your soil bare. Cover crops can save your soil. [6]
• Water Catchments. These slow down the movement of water, encouraging the soil absorbing it. Examples: bunds or swales.
• Food forests. Instead of rows of monoculture, food forest combine several different types of plants in a way that mimics a forest.
• Reducing food waste. To take pressure off food production. In Canada alone, $31 billion dollars worth of food waste is thrown out a year.
• Mulch. Putting mulch down can protect your soil while also keeping down weeds.
• Planting trees and bushes. Even if it is just on the outside perimeter of your crops, trees and bushes can help hold soil in place, reduce wind, and improve the general health of the area.

---

#farming #gardening #permaculture #FarmingAndGardening

A food forest(sometimes also called “agroforestry”) is a permaculture method which mimics a forest when planning out a food garden.

“A food forest, also called a forest garden, is a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature.” | Project Food Forest [1]

With proper care, a food forest can even last generations. For example, in the 1920’s near Philadelphia(USA), John Hershey created a food forest. Although today that land has been broken up by urban sprawl, many of the trees survive today in empty lots, backyards, and by parking lots.

There are pecans, walnuts, persimmons, apples, and many more, all growing without maintenance. [2][3]

Parts of a Food Forest:

These gardens are typically broken down into these layers:

1. Canopy: large fruit or nut trees
2. Understory: dwarf fruit trees, like pears, juneberries, mulberries, and more.
3. Shrubs: berries, like elderberry, currants, blueberries, and more
4. Herbaceous: Herbs, like mint, lemon balm, comfrey, and more.
5. Rhizosphere: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, ground nuts
6. Climbing: Peas, grapes, hardy kiwi, honeysuckle.
7. Ground Cover: Strawberries, catnip, walking onion.

However, it is important to note that what plants you use will be specific to what can grow in your area.

Food Forest Benefits:

• Promoting a healthy soil microbiome
• Increased carbon-capture (no-till)
• Preventing erosion
• Retaining water
• Low maintenance
• Can support wildlife biodiversity

[4][5]

References:

1. https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/
2. https://www.shelterwoodforestfarm.com/blog/2018/10/17/exploring-americas-oldest-food-forest
3. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qQZTmb_1
4. https://grocycle.com/food-forest-layers/
5. https://twobrothersindiashop.com/blogs/farmers-kitaab/food-forests-and-soil-health

---

#permaculture #farming #greenliving #foodforest #FarmingAndGardening

Deep Bed Farming (DBF) is a regenerative agriculture method developed by the Tiyeni Trust in Malawi and studied by Loughborough University and Aftrak. It is designed to overcome widespread soil compaction (“hardpan”), improve water infiltration, and significantly increase crop yields.

The Tiyeni deep-bed farming system during cultivation

Method

• Break the Hardpan: Farmers dig through the compacted sub-soil layer once during the first year, allowing roots, air, and water to move deeper into the profile.
• Construct Deep Beds: Beds about one metre wide are formed alongside shallow ditches. These ditches capture rainfall and reduce runoff, while the beds are kept permanently unwalked to prevent re-compaction.
• Intercrop and Rotate Crops: DBF replaces monocropping with mixed planting (e.g., maize with legumes or pumpkins) and seasonal rotations to improve soil nutrients and reduce pests.
• Mulch and Compost: Weeds and plant residues are used as mulch or compost, boosting organic matter and reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers.

Benefits

• Major yield increases have been recorded—maize rising from ~1.7 t/ha to over 8 t/ha in some trials.
• Strong reductions in soil erosion and improved water retention.
• After year one, the system shifts toward low-till or no-till.
• Farmers report improved food security and higher incomes.

Limitations

• High labour demand in the first season.
• Best suited to regions where rainfall or runoff capture is practical.
• Requires training to adopt new bed layouts and crop diversity.

· · ──────·❂·────── · ·

References:
– 📰 Tiyeni.org
– 📰 Loughbourgh University
– 🎙️ People Fixing the World Podcast
– 📺 BBC News Africa Youtube Video

---

#farming #permaculture #water #FarmingAndGardening

Rain barrels (also called rainwater tanks) collect rainwater runoff from rooftops by using eavestroughs and downspouts to carry and funnel water into the barrel.

Since this is untreated water, it is healthier for the plants in your garden [1] while also saving you money on your water bill.

The use of the barrels can assist drought-prone areas by collecting water in the rainy season which can then be used during the dry season. This reduces the strain on local water reserves.

---

Before Buying

Many cities do also have incentives to buy rain barrels, so be sure to do some research on that for your area.\ Some places (such as some USA states) have different regulations regarding water capture, so please look into that as well. [2]

---

Tips:

• Barley: If you are having trouble with algae, try barley. It helps restrict algae growth. [3]
• Mosquito Dunks: If you have a open-faced (no mesh or cover) barrel, consider a mosquito Dunk to help deal with mosquito larvae in a safe way. [4]
• Timers: If you water at the same time every day, consider a battery-operated faucet timer and a soaker hose
• Gravity: If you can get your barrels higher than the ground you are planning to water, you should be able to water without problems

---

DIY Option

Supplies:

• Garbage can with a lid
• Valve Spigot
• Screening
• Drill and drill bit
• Waterproof duct tape

Instructions:

• Use the drill and drill bit to make a hole near the bottom of the container for the valve spigot.
• Install the valve spigot (installation instructions will vary depending on what you buy)
• Use the drill and large drill bits to make a hole or several holes in the lid.
• On the top side of the lid, cut the screening so it will cover the holes, and tape in place with the water proof duct tape.
• Place the lid upside down over the container so the rim of the lid helps to funnel the water
• Place your new rain barrel under your downspout.
• Optional: Add another tap near the top of the container if you want to link multiple containers.

#greenliving #traditionalskills #water #gardening #farming #FarmingAndGardening