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Ollas: Ancient Irrigation That's Perfect for Santa Cruz Gardens
California's dry summers demand water-wise irrigation, and ollas offer an elegant 4,000-year-old solution. These unglazed clay pots buried in your garden slowly release water directly to plant roots, using 50 to 70 percent less water than surface irrigation. Perfect for Santa Cruz County's Mediterranean climate, ollas work in foggy Aptos, clay soil in Soquel, or sandy soil in Boulder Creek. Learn how to install, use, and even make your own DIY ollas.
Rainwater Harvesting for Santa Cruz County Gardens: How Much Can Your Roof Really Catch?
Your roof catches more water than your garden needs. Learn the roof-to-tank math for Santa Cruz County, what tank sizes actually provide, and how to harvest rainwater within local permit guidelines.