What is Oyster Gardening?
Oyster gardening is growing oysters non-commercially in your backyard, or at least in the rivers and streams of the Chesapeake Bay. next to your backyard.  It's fun, not too hard, and good for you and the environment.  Oysters provide filtration for the Bay waters, food for Bay animals, and as reefs, homes for much of the life in the Bay.  By growing oysters in a float at your dock, you can see a mini-oyster reef, with a variety of species.  You can grow oysters to eat, or to be planted on restored oyster reefs in the Bay.  You may even be able to participate with VIMS researchers through the GREEN program.

How did Oyster Gardening start?
In the mid 1990's VIMS researchers suggested that private citizens grow oysters at their homes to help clean up the Bay.  From a handful of individuals, the ranks of gardeners have swelled to over 2000 people in Virginia and Maryland.  Gardeners have formed associations dedicated to promoting oyster gardening and educating members.  Organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have joined in to encourage school teachers to use gardening as part of their curriculum.

Do I have to buy a license to garden oysters?
No you don't have buy a license, but you do need to obtain a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).  To get an application, contact the VMRC Habitat Management Division at:

P.O. Box 756
Newport News, Virginia 23607-0756
(757) 247-2252 (Habitat Office)

How can I get more information about Oyster Gardening?
To view the VIMS booklet, "An Introduction to Culturing Oysters in Virginia" in PDF format, click here

To have VIMS send you oyster gardening information, contact Mike Oesterling at (804) 684-7165; e-mail: mike@vims.edu

To learn more about the VIMS Aquaculture and Breeding Technology Center (ABC) and its work to develop and test shellfish species including native oysters, hard and soft clams, and bay scallops, click here.

To find out about and participate in an ABC project through GREEN, the Gardener REsearch Extension Network, click here.

Or, check out these links:
The Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA)
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation oyster Gardening page (CBF)
Maryland Sea Grant Oyster Gardening Program
Restore the Oyster (RTO)