“One Dock at a Time” Oyster Gardening
In March and April 2022 a number of Lemon Bay Conservancy members assembled and installed oyster gardens throughout Lemon Bay as part of the Lemon BayWatch “one dock at a time” oyster gardening initiative.
The Lemon BayWatch team comprises Jane and Malcolm Collingwood, Hilary Dahms, John McCurley, Cheryl Tough, Ann and Jack Weaver, Sue and Kevin Wills, and Coke Wilson. Special thanks to Tim and Joy from TJ’s Market Restaurant for providing oyster shells.
An oyster garden installation includes three strands of oysters threaded on stainless steel wire and suspended by marine rope screwed to the home owners dock. These vertical strands hang in the water and oyster spat attaches to the shells, growing into mature oysters. To help our water quality efforts we have installed these gardens on docks throughout Lemon Bay at Cape Haze, Coral Creek, the Eagle Preserve, Rock Creek, Manasota Beach, South Gulf Cove, Don Pedro Island, and Charlotte Harbor.
The health of the gardens are being observed by the dock owners and LBC members.
Later this year at the Englewood Beach water festival on November 19 Lemon Bay Conservancy members will run a workshop to demonstrate how to make these vertical oyster gardens. CHNEP members will assist us at the workshop which will be held in the family conservation tent. Come and see us to learn about the benefits of oyster gardening in Lemon Bay and see how easy it is to make a garden.
Call the Lemon Bay Conservancy office at 941-830-8922 for information.
