Newsletters

The best way to learn the basics is to Join TOGA - we are experienced and here for you!

 

1- At home download and read the "How to be an Oyster Gardener" (12 pp. PDF) by Jackie Partin, TOGA Founder (image on this page), or review the educational posters, also shown.

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2- Review the pages in the "Oyster Gardening" menu.

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3- Contact us with your questions.

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4- Attend TOGA Events and talk with a Master Oyster Gardener.

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5- Apply for a free VMRC Oyster Gardening Permit. Stay up to date with how clean the water is where your oysters live.

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6- Purchase oyster floats/cages and spat bags or tubes. TOGA holds 2 annual Float and Spat Sales (see years Schedule) in Spring and Fall. We have a wide variety made with tons of experience for sale at great prices. Vendors sell cages as well. 

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7- Purchase oyster seed (spat) at a TOGA sale to get started if you don't already have any oysters, or want more. TOGA spat vendors also supply spat at other times.

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8- Care for Spat - Keep your spat cool and get them in your waters as soon as possible. Place them in a spat bag or spat tube with appropriate size mesh to contain your spat. Place the bag or tube in a float or cage and deploy them.

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9- Maintain your cages by spraying off thick algae fouling to allow adequate flow through cage. As they grow, move to larger mesh containers until they are about 1.5 inch long. Then release them to the cage without bags or spat tubes.

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10- Enjoy eating your oysters, donate or plant along banks in intertidal zones. Recycle your shell by planting or donating. See Contact Us or CBF Drop Off Points.