These videos show our friends at the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) assembling containers typically used in oyster gardening. Virginia Sea Grant is a proud partner with VIMS and TOGA. Together we train residents of coastal Virginia in the benefits, practice, and science of oyster gardening.
For diagrams and more information, go to www.oystergardener.org then click on “Oyster Gardening” then “Devices and Designs.”
How to Build a Taylor Float
A Taylor float is one type of container used by recreational oyster gardeners in Virginia. It consists of a wire mesh basket (24″x40″x12″) that is suspended in the water by a PVC ring.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Taylor float for oyster gardening:
Basket
• 5′ by 4′ coated wire mesh with 1″ cells
• pig rings and pig ring pliers
• wire cutter
• tape measure
• rubber mallet, sturdy table, and a 2×4 piece of wood (or a bender)
Ring
• two 4″ thin-wall PVC drain pipe cut to 21.5″
• two 4″ thin-wall PVC drain pipe cut to 35″
• four 90-degree PVC elbows
• primer
• glue
• eight 18″ black cable ties
How to Build a Flip Float
A flip float is one type of container used by recreational oyster gardeners in Virginia. It consists of a wire mesh box (39″x24″x6″), a lid (25″x8″), and two PVC floats (38″ long) on either side.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own flip float for oyster gardening:
Box
• 5′ by 4′ coated wire mesh with 1″ cells
• pig rings and pig ring pliers
• wire cutter
• tape measure
• rubber mallet, sturdy table, and a 2×4 piece of wood (or a bender)
Lid
• bungee cord
• pig rings and pig ring pliers
• small hook
Floats
• two 4″ thin-wall PVC drain pipe cut to 38″
• 4 PVC caps
• primer
• glue
• four 18″ black cable ties
