Neighborhood garden at harvest time

Harvest has begun in the neighborhood garden established by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for women in Kadifekale. Women who harvest the seasonal vegetables they planted themselves in the garden not only support their household economy but also socialize.

The Women’s Studies Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality established a neighborhood garden in Kadifekale as part of the Mercek Project. Women from Kadifekale plant seasonal and winter vegetables in the 6-acre garden. Women, who obtain the water used for the heritage seedlings and products from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, start harvesting as the products ripen. Women who mention that they go to the market less thanks to the garden express that they find peace and solidarity in the garden.

137 women cultivate products in the garden
Elif Gokcen, working as a sociologist in the Mercek Project, stated, ‘Harvest is being done in the neighborhood garden established within the scope of the Women’s Studies Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality’s Mercek Project. Our garden in Kadifekale consists of three stages totaling 6 acres. A total of 137 women cultivate products in our garden.’

Seasonal and winter products are planted
Gokcen noted that the Agricultural Services Department of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality produces seedlings from heritage seeds, and the Park and Gardens Department supplies the water needed for the products. ‘In summer, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants are planted, and in winter, cauliflower, broccoli, and greens are planted. Women say that they do not go to the market much thanks to the products here. Our Kadifekale neighborhood garden is also used as a socialization area by women. Here, we organize various activities and picnics,’ she said.

‘I don’t go to the market’
Melek Sincar, who says she planted eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes in the neighborhood garden, stated, ‘Our neighborhood garden was given to us by our municipality. This year, they gave seedlings for melons in addition to eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes for the summer. The soil is fertile. Support was also provided for irrigation this year. We make various dishes, fried foods with the products we harvest here. I don’t go to the market. Today, I came to the garden and harvested my products. I met my vegetable needs for a week. I find peace, happiness in the garden. We socialize with the women who come here, organize events. I have seen the benefits of this place a lot. I thought I knew about planting before, but I actually didn’t know. I learned a lot here.’

‘We are in solidarity with women’
Dilan Yalcin, who harvested eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes she planted with her 2-year-old son Ali Esat Yalcin in the garden, said, ‘This year, we will also harvest our melons for the first time. It’s a beautiful project. We can easily come here because it’s in our neighborhood. It’s nice to pick and eat the product we planted ourselves. I mostly make various dishes and fried foods from the products I harvested. I also eat peppers for breakfast. We are in solidarity with women. We talk to each other about whether each other’s products have ripened.’

‘We love this place’
Seve Acar, who collects her products in the garden, said, ‘I cook with the products I produce here. The project is very nice. May Allah be pleased with our municipality. We love this place. We love dealing with gardening. My mother and I come here together to harvest our products.’

Within the scope of the Mercek Project, in addition to Kadifekale, there is a 750 square meter neighborhood garden in Buca Mustafa Kemal Neighborhood and a 500 square meter neighborhood garden in Bornova Meric Living Park.