These workshops are required for all new oyster gardeners. You will get the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. Workshops last about two-hours, during which you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters.
Once the cages are finished, each registered participant will receive two bags (roughly one bushel, approximately 2,000 baby oysters) of oyster "spat on shell" to take home and care for over the fall, winter, and early spring months.
Once grown to adult size, gardeners will return their oysters to CBF for replanting onto a nearby sanctuary reef. The now hardy adult oysters will remain on the sanctuary where they can provide water quality and habitat benefits for the Chesapeake Bay.
For more information on water quality requirements and program specifics, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. For further questions and inquiries please contact our oyster gardening team at MDoystergardening@cbf.org.
*Volunteers understand that all spat-on-shell provided by the Foundation remains the property of CBF and is to be returned at the end of the growing season.
Schedule
Annapolis
Oyster Gardening Workshop
Saturday, August 9, 2025
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Registration closes August 7.
REGISTER
Kent Island
Oyster Gardening Workshop
Thursday, August 28, 2025
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Registration closes August 26.
REGISTER
Shady Side
Oyster Gardening Workshop
Saturday, September 28, 2025
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m..
Registration closes September 26.
REGISTER
