Oyster Gardening
What is an Oyster Garden?
When we talk about oyster gardens in the Baltimore Harbor, we are referring to places in which a large number of spat (baby oysters) are raised for the first nine months of their lives. These gardens are made up of dozens of cages designed to protect the spat from predators. They hang near the surface of the water where there is ample food and oxygen for the spat to thrive.
Over the next 5 years, our goal is to grow 5 million oysters, and the success of this initiative relies heavily on the health of our oyster gardens.
Our workshops are currently full for September- sign up for updates to be notified when registration opens for October!
How Oyster Gardens Work:
Oyster gardens serve as vital environments for the nurturing and growth of juvenile oysters in the Baltimore Harbor. Spat-on-Shell, provided by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, is distributed to oyster gardens throughout the Baltimore Harbor by the Waterfront Partnership, where the spat develop into juvenile oysters. From fall to spring, volunteers assist in the installation and maintenance of 16 oyster gardens across the harbor, which together contain over 1,000 oyster cages!
Each spring, the mature oysters are transplanted from the Baltimore Harbor to the Fort Carroll Oyster Sanctuary Reef. The entire process is repeated beginning in the fall of each year.
Join us in Making a Difference & Become a Baltimore Oyster Gardener!
Step into the world of oyster gardening and become an active steward of our waterways! As an oyster gardener, you’ll immerse yourself in hands-on experiences, from scrubbing oyster cages to ensuring these incredible creatures grow as large as possible before they take their rightful place on the reef, filtering and cleaning our waters.
Participate in our engaging Public Workshops where you can help construct cages, establish new gardens, and care for our oysters. You'll get your hands dirty, washing away predators and algae to give our oyster spat the clear path they need to thrive. In the spring, join us for exciting Oyster Planting boat trips to Fort Carroll Sanctuary, where you can participate in relocating these oysters to their new underwater home among millions of their fellow oysters!
A few reminders for our future oyster gardeners:
Dress for a mess—this is hands-on work!
Closed-toed shoes are a must for safety.
Hydration is key! Bring a full reusable water bottle.
Layer appropriately for the weather, as we’ll be out in nature.
Upcoming Workshops & Events
Our oyster gardening dates for September are full- join our mailing list to be notified when dates open for October.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Receive updates on our oyster restoration efforts, volunteer opportunities, and community events. Join us in making a difference and be part of a community dedicated to revitalizing our waterfront.