Urla, Yağcılar Ecopark Project
Project Location:
The project owners want to do both ecotourism and produce natural food with the ecopark they will establish on this land of 7845 m2. While the design of the ecopark structures to be established in the northern region of the land has already been completed and the construction is about to start, what is requested from us in this project:
Establishing effective gardens for natural food production in the flat area in the south of the land
Both food production for the partners' own kitchens and natural food production for the ecocafe's kitchen.
Establishing a vineyard in a part of the plain area in the south
Alternatives to revitalize the soil and nature that will also support the olives in the olive grove area in the middle
Data:
From local climate data:
There are many days without rain.
The rainiest month is February, followed by December. Precipitation occurs mainly between November and April.
The months with the highest wind speed are between June and August. The strongest winds come from the north and northeast directions.
Wind in the hottest period is very beneficial in terms of providing coolness. Cool zones can be achieved with the right structural and vegetal design.
There is a serious decrease in rainfall in 2020. Even in the rainy months except December, the monthly average rainfall does not exceed 20 mm. Then suddenly there was heavy rainfall of over 100 mm in December. Climate change is dragging the current region towards an irregular and unstable regime in rainfall.
Water harvesting and increasing the water retention capacity of the soil will be critical.
From Soil Analysis Result:
Lime content increases as you go deeper.
Soil PH rate increases as you go deeper in parallel with the lime and becomes more alkaline.
Clay loam soil structure is suitable for gardening work.
The amount of organic matter in the soil is very low.
Soil is poor in phosphorus
Calcium content is very high
Magnesium content is too low
Flora:
There are only olive trees within the borders of the land and there are maquis bushes here and there among the olive trees. While exploring at the end of November, we observed dry grass on the ground and the soil was still dry.
Design:
The main purpose is food production, and the center where food production will take place is the plain in the south. Considering the access lines to this plain from the upper region; We have determined the location below as the center, 'Region 0', between the flat area in the south and the olive grove area where the slope begins.
In District 0, we planned a gazebo area with a small storage room and a toilet. In this area where intensive gardening will be done, there will be a cool area in the shade for those working. Work can be done by sorting the collected products, packaging them, spreading and drying the seeds, storing them, etc.
Garden promotion and training can also be given here to visitors to the ecopark. Behind the gazebo, under the trees, there is a compost production area. Organic waste will be converted into compost fertilizer here.
Zone 0 is the area where we are constantly present and where the work is done most intensively. Other districts are determined according to the work density, which decreases from near District 0 to further away.
In Zone 1, intensive gardening is done in deep and tall plant beds. It also includes a small natural pond and a small greenhouse, which will be filled with rainwater directed from the upper elevations during precipitation.
The deep and tall plant beds in District 1 were generally positioned on a north-south line (except for the mandala garden); In this way, it will be possible for sunlight to penetrate into the plant beds and reach the plants behind.