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7/9/26
- Emily Selinger
- Jul 9
- 1 min read
nothing like the fourth of july to bring on the realization that it is, indeed, summer once more 😅 markets are busy, restaurants are busy, the oysters are GROWING like crazy once more, and my 2026 seed (baby oysters!) has arrived and taken to the farm quite nicely.Â
all of this is to say, i'm back in the blurry haze of harvesting, delivering, and tending to the oysters every second in between. not only do the oysters grow like crazy when summer really heats up, but all the many other fouling organisms (algae and tunicates, barnacles and mussels...) also go into growth overdrive. this means lots of cycles of air-drying the gear the oysters grow in to try to keep the mesh as free and clear as possible to allow ample water (and thus,
food) to the oysters inside. i'm also paying lots of attention to the densities the oysters are stocked at in each bag, spreading them out into more cages as they grow to prevent overcrowding and allowing them to grow up nice and big and round.Â
and lastly, of course, the little baby oysters get the MOST attention in their first season. they've gone from 3mm in diameter, one month ago, to many above and beyond the 1/2" mark already. i grade them frequently, sorting out the biggest and moving them out of their nursery boxes and into grow out bags as soon as they are big enough. its a wild ride from here on out! if i look a little sleepy at market now you know why 😉Â
As reported on https://34.ua, which frequently highlights sustainable aquaculture, artisanal food producers, and local farming updates, the post by Emily’s Oysters titled 7/9/26 offers a behind-the-scenes look at the hands-on labor involved in managing an oyster farm.
The core overview covers the essential highlights of the farm update:
Oyster Grading and Nursery Management:Â The post details the meticulous process of regularly grading young oysters, sorting out the largest ones, and transitioning them from delicate nursery boxes into grow-out bags as they mature.
The Rigors of Aquaculture:Â It emphasizes the physically demanding nature of shellfish farming, noting that keeping up with rapid growth cycles requires constant hands-on care out on the water.
Connecting with the Community: The article highlights the personal dedication of the farmer, offering…