Flooding is so important in cranberry cultivation that bogs where flooding is not possible are no longer considered profitable Cranberry growers use flooding as a management tool to protect the plants from the cold, drying winds of winter, to harvest and remove fallen leaves and to control pests
Why do cranberry fields have to be drained?
Commercially, cranberries are grown in specially prepared beds in boggy areas that are close to water sources such as ponds and reservoirs In winter, the bed is flooded to protect the dormant stems from frost damage After the beds are drained again in the spring, the flowers appear
What is the purpose of a cranberry bog?
The farmers flood the cranberry bogs (which often freeze over) to protect the vines and buds from injuries associated with cold weather
Why are cranberries flooded in the winter?
What happens to cranberries in winter? Cranberries go semi-dormant in their bogs during the cold months of winter In order to protect plants from the cold and possible heaving, growers typically flood the bogs Flooding as part of cranberry winter protection is a time honored method of growing these prized berries
Do cranberry bogs smell?
Although cranberries don’t have much of a smell, they do have a beautiful red color When dropped in water, cranberries will float This property allows them to be harvested by flooding the bog with water A harvesting wheel gently beats the vines and loosens the berries
Where is the Ocean Spray cranberry bog?
Ocean Spray owner-growers Jeff and Kim LaFleur open their 236-acre bog in Plympton, MA, to visitors from around the world for hands-on cranberry harvest programs Hop on a viewing tour or sign up for the “Be The Grower Experience,” where you can slip on waders and help out with the harvest yourself
Are cranberry bogs flooded with salt water?
As with the reclamation of tidal marshes, cranberry bogs required the control and use of local water supplies However, cranberry bogs utilized fresh water instead of salt or brackish water Today, cranberry growers still follow many of the same principles used by nineteenth and early twentieth century growers
How do cranberry fields work?
A typical cranberry harvest begins in early September and lasts through fall The cranberry bogs are flooded when the berries ripen Then the berries are beaten mechanically from the vines Cranberries float to the surface, where they are skimmed, collected on trucks, and taken for processing
How much do cranberry farmers make?
The middle half received between $570 and $1,269 per week The lowest-paid 10 percent of wage earners received less than $358 The highest-paid 10 percent received more than $1,735 per week
Where did cranberries originate?
The Cranberry (genus Vaccinium) is native to the swamps and bogs of northeastern North America It belongs to the Heath, or Heather family (Ericaceae), which is a very widespread family of about 125 genera and about 3500 species!
Is Cranberry good to drink?
Potential Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice Cranberry juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and provides 39% of your recommended daily allowance in an 8-ounce serving Vitamin C plays many important roles in the body A powerful antioxidant, it helps stop free radicals from damaging cells and DNA in your body
Can you eat cranberries raw?
Can you eat raw cranberries? Yes, it’s safe to eat raw cranberries, though you’ll likely want to include them in a recipe, like a smoothie, sauce, or relish, versus eating them raw, as their tangy taste can be off-putting to some people
How long do cranberry plants live?
Normally, growers do not replant each year since an undamaged cranberry vine will survive indefinitely Some vines on Cape Cod are more than 150 years old and are still bearing fruit
What state produces the most cranberries?
Cranberry production in the US 2020, by state Wisconsin was the top cranberry producer in the United States in 2020, at 464 million barrels, followed by Massachusetts with 206 million barrels of cranberries in that year In the United States, cranberries are often consumed dried or in sauces
Are cranberries grown in water?
Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water (picture those two Ocean Spray guys standing knee-deep in a bog full of cranberries) Instead, they grow on vines in wetland conditions, and the wetlands are then usually flooded at harvest time
What states have cranberry bogs?
The US states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin grow the majority of cranberries in the United States There are also wild cranberry bogs One of the southernmost is found in Ducktown in Polk County Tennessee
Do dolphins live in cranberry bogs?
Yes there is no such thing as cranberry bog dolphins Nov 23, 2016
Are there spiders in cranberry bogs?
Actually, they’ve been there all along While the berries are growing, budding, and flowering, the spiders make home in the vines, cleaning the vines of any insects When the bogs are flooded, the spiders float to the surface and run across the tops of the berries to stay dry
Can you grow cranberries in Louisiana?
They grow on small vine-like shrubs that thrive in cold water bogs and marshes Louisiana wetlands, perfect for crawfish, are too warm for cranberries
Can you grow cranberries in Texas?
Cranberries grow and thrive in USDA Hardiness zones 2-5, which places it right outside of the zones located within Texas This means that cranberries cannot thrive inside Texas, and thus, growing them inside Texas is not recommended
Can you grow cranberries at home?
Planting in ground, allow approximately two square feet per 1 yr old plant to spread Remove soil to a depth of six to eight inches and clear all weed roots Cranberries cannot compete with weeds If your soil tends to be dry, the dug area can be lined with polythene with some drainage holes punched in the bottom
What enables cranberries to float?
Cranberries have four air pockets inside them, which allows them to float to the surface during the wet harvest operation
What climate do cranberries grow in?
Best Climate and Site for Growing Cranberries Cranberries grow best in USDA Zones 4 to 7 Cranberries require three months of chilly winter weather at 32°to 45°F to ensure flower set and fruiting in spring
Do cranberries grow in brackish water?
The short answer is no They don’t grow in water, but water does come in to play with their harvest Cranberries actually thrive in what known as a bog, or an area is characterized by an acidic peat soil