Keep your float or cages clean. This is a very heavy time for algae growth and oyster predators.

You should receive an Oyster Data Sheet via e-mail or post. Please fill it out and return it to Stephanie Reynolds at CBF (sreynolds@savethebay.cbf.org)

Oysters are dormant for the winter. They can freeze solidly in the water, and they will be fine; however, oysters exposed to freezing air temperatures may die. Make sure to lower cages to a few inches off the Bay bottom for the winter, to avoid all risk of exposure to freezing air temperatures. Check your garden often, as ice can cut the lines securing it.

Oysters begin to feed again when the water reaches about 36° F. Make sure you return to a regular desiccation schedule, but do not expose your oysters to freezing air temperatures. Please fill out another Oyster Data Sheet and return it to Stephanie Reynolds at CBF.

Late in the month, look for a schedule of Oyster Return Days on www.cbf.org/oysters and in your mailbox.

Returning your oysters at this time of year saves you the labor of keeping them clean all summer.

If you have not returned your oysters, be sure to keep them clean. Look on www.cbf.org/oysters or in your mailbox for a schedule of Spat Pick Up Days, when you can pick up spat and return your oysters.

If you have not done so already, please return your oysters at any Spat Pick Up Day. And Get New Spat!

Please e-mail or leave a phone message with Stephanie Reynolds several days in advance, indicating which Spat Pick Up Day you'll attend and how many oyster gardens you have. (A "garden" is one float or 4 cages.) That way we can be sure to have enough spat for everyone. Check www.cbf.org/oysters and in your mailbox for the schedule of Spat Pick Up Days.