Why do they flood the cranberry fields?

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 they cover cranberry bogs with sand?

Sanding is the most commonly used cultural practice in cranberry production in Massachusetts. Growers apply a thin (1/2 to 2 inch) layer of sand on the surface of producing cranberry bogs at 2 to 5 year intervals in order to promote growth, improve productivity, suppress disease, and reduce insect populations.

Are cranberry bogs 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.

Are cranberry bogs bad for the environment?

Unfortunately, conventionally-grown cranberries have a very large “foodprint” because they are grown with lots of pesticides and fertilizers, which have negative impacts on the neighboring ecosystems, from soil and water to insects and wildlife.

What lives in a cranberry bog?

In Massachusetts, the cranberry bog and its surrounding uplands are home to many plant and wildlife species, such as the red-bellied turtle, butterflies, great blue heron, wild turkey, deer, otter, wood duck, fox, lady slipper, water lily, spruce and pine trees.

Why do they soak cranberries in water?

Wet Harvesting Cranberries have pockets of air inside the fruit. Because of this, cranberries float in water, and thus, the bogs can be flooded to aid in removal of fruit from the vines.

Are cranberry bogs man-made?

Most of the bogs currently used for cranberry production are man-made. They were usually developed on natural wetlands or on uplands used to replicate the wetland environment.

Are cranberries poisonous?

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation. However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

How do cranberry bogs work?

How Cranberry Bogs Work. Bogs are one of North America’s most distinctive types of wetlands. They’re strange ecosystems characterized by thick sphagnum moss, acidic waters, peat deposits and a spongy, mat-like substance on the water’s surface. Cranberries thrive best in beds within the bog, which consist of alternating layers of sand, peat,…

Can a cranberry plant survive in a bog?

Plants that grow in bogs have to contend with a host of unfavorable conditions, but the cranberry plant’s durability allows it to survive in this habitat. For example, cranberries need fresh water to survive.

When was the first cranberry bog formed?

Present-day natural bogs, like the Tannersville Cranberry Bog in the Pennsylvania mountains, are believed to have been formed around 10,000 years ago. Keep in mind that no two natural cranberry bogs are exactly alike.

Why do farmers flood the cranberry bogs?

The farmers flood the cranberry bogs (which often freeze over) to protect the vines and buds from injuries associated with cold weather. Generally, the initial flood takes place in December and is held in the bogs until winter’s end. A practice called sanding is also crucial to the health of the cranberries and the bog itself.