Editing Cranberry (section)

=== Geography and bog method ===
[[File:Cranberrys beim Ernten.jpeg|thumb|right|Cranberry harvest]]

Historically, cranberry beds were constructed in wetlands. Today's cranberry beds are constructed in upland areas with a shallow water table. The topsoil is scraped off to form [[dyke (construction)|dykes]] around the bed perimeter. Clean sand is hauled in and spread to a depth of {{convert|10|to|20|cm|in|0|sp=us}}. The surface is [[laser level]]ed flat to provide even drainage. Beds are frequently drained with socked tile in addition to the perimeter ditch. In addition to making it possible to hold water, the dykes allow equipment to service the beds without driving on the vines. Irrigation equipment is installed in the bed to provide [[irrigation]] for vine growth and for spring and autumn frost protection.

A [[common misconception]] about cranberry production is that the beds remain flooded throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morales |first=Christina |date=17 November 2022 |title=How Jellied Cranberry Sauce Is Made |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/dining/canned-jellied-cranberry-sauce-thanksgiving.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117053845/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/dining/canned-jellied-cranberry-sauce-thanksgiving.html |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hutton |first=Rachel |date=16 November 2023 |title=There's only one cranberry farm in Minnesota, and it's run by a 21-year-old woman and her brother |url=https://www.startribune.com/cranberry-harvest-minnesota-wisconsin-ocean-spray-forster/600320148/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref> During the growing season cranberry beds are not flooded, but are irrigated regularly to maintain soil moisture. Beds are flooded in the autumn to facilitate harvest and again during the winter to protect against low temperatures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ag.umass.edu/cranberry/about/cranberry|title=The Cranberry|date=7 August 2015|website=Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref> In cold climates like Wisconsin, New England, and eastern Canada, the winter flood typically freezes into ice, while in warmer climates the water remains liquid. When ice forms on the beds, trucks can be driven onto the ice to spread a thin layer of sand to control pests and rejuvenate the vines. Sanding is done every three to five years.