Why are cranberries usually grown in boggy areas?

Cranberries are a unique fruit. Growing them requires acid peat soil, an adequate fresh water supply, and a growing season that extends from April to November.

Contrary to popular opinion (and TV commercials), cranberries do not grow under (or on) water. The fruit grows on trailing vines, much like strawberries. The vines do best in wet, boggy areas, and that is where they are commercially cultivated. However, cranberries do grow fine on dry land, as long as they receive adequate water.

Cranberry fields are flooded only during harvest time in the fall (mid-September through mid-November). This is when the bogs really factor in, as they make the cranberries easier to harvest.

Cranberries can be “wet” or “dry” harvested, depending on their intended use. Dry harvesting requires a picker to use a walk-behind machine to comb berries from the vine. Dry harvested berries are considered fresh fruit. They are used mostly in baking and cooking, and can be found in bags in the produce section of markets.

Over 90% of U.S.-grown cranberries are wet harvested. The berries have tiny pockets of air inside, which causes them to float in water. Wet harvesting actually begins the night before. The bogs are flooded and the water is agitated to dislodge the fruit from the vine. The berries then float to the top of the water, where they are more easily scooped off the surface. Wet harvested berries are destined for use in processed or canned foods, such as cranberry juice, sauce, and relish.