The use of olla irrigation, a water-efficient gardening method developed over 4,000 years ago, can significantly reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation before it reaches a root. The technique involves an unglazed clay pot buried in garden soil with only its neck exposed, allowing it to release moisture directly into the surrounding soil driven by the roots of nearby plants. This method can save between 60 and 70 percent of water compared to conventional methods and reduce waste by 50 to 70 percent compared to surface irrigation. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has published a list of reasons for gardeners to switch to olla, which includes no more daily watering and fewer weeds.