Famous for it's tartness and beautiful color, the cranberry is an essential part of the Cape, as well as Cape Cod's namesake cocktail. Cranberries are big business on Cape Cod!
Water is a must in growing cranberries, but they are not grown in water. Here's the history: In 1816, a storm flooded a Cape Cod cranberry bog, and the sand and water which washed in caused the berries to grow much better and faster. Cranberries have been farmed this way ever since. During the winter and early spring, bogs are often flooded to protect the plants from freezing. As the cranberries mature over the summer months, irrigation from spraying brings water for the plants to grow, and cool water keeps the vines from drying in the heat. Then in autumn, the bogs are flooded again. Ripe cranberries float to the surface and are corralled and harvested by workers. The use of floating booms allow the cranberries to be brought into a tightening circle so they can be removed from the bog.
