For smaller gardens or around specific high-value plants, you could try using an olla. Basically an unglazed terracotta jar buried in the soil. Water seeps through the clay very slowly, allowing plants time to absorb it.
One of my books talks about terracotta irrigation pipes, which use the same principal over a larger area, but as far as I know those never made it to market. Seems like they would break too easily anyway. There is probably a way to attach terracotta spikes to a regular irrigation hose, but I’ve never tried it.
I used terra cotta in the past as drain pipe. Was absolutely miserable as the tree roots went for the moisture leaking from it and clogged the drain every few years.
I’m using soaker irrigation under the mulch. Not I just need to make sure I don’t over soak it and cause mold or root rot.
Thanks for the recommendation.
🙏