How Cranberries Grow: Spring Frost - Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association

During the months of April, May, and June, the cranberry plant moves from winter dormancy allowing the bud to transition its development into uprights with flowers and fruit. A critical growing practice at this time is to monitor the growth of the cranberry vines by observing the vine’s pigmentation and the development and coloration of the bud at the end of upright vines. These clues give an indication as to what temperatures the plant will be able to withstand before a fatal frost sets in.

Cranberries have a temperature tolerance at which the plant can withstand damage from frost. This tolerance changes as the plant matures each week during the spring growth spurt. A cranberry farm can loose their entire income for two years from severe frost damage, with damaging frost occurring in less than 20 minutes if not protected. It is not unheard of to have up to 30 nights of damaging frost during the spring growing season. By irrigating their bogs with water during a frost event, the layer of ice that forms over the vines actually protects the plant from the killing cold temperatures.

A relatively new technology to the cranberry industry, automated irrigation systems enable growers to automatically turn on and off their irrigation pumps. These systems use sensors placed within the cranberry vines to monitor temperature and other weather conditions. These systems are fully-controllable via the Internet and growers can log onto a secure site to monitor and manage each pump. On average, a recent survey showed that growers utilizing automated irrigation systems can save more than 9,000 gallons of water per acre on a frost night. In addition, there are substantial savings in the amount of wear on the pumps, as well as on labor and fuel costs.

View a slide show on spring
frost in cranberry agriculture:
(Click on the photo to start the show)

Cranberry bud and blossom photos
courtesy UMass Cranberry Station.

View a brief video on frost protection: (15 sec.)

For more information on the first implementation of automated irrigation systems in cranberry agriculture, download the Conservation Innovation Grant Final Report. (PDF: 532KB)

How Cranberries Grow: Cranberries 101

Introduction - a brief background on cranberries

Seasons of the Bog: Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall

Dry Harvesting - See how growers harvest fresh fruit

Frost Protection: Spring - Cranberry plants need protection from cold temperatures

Cranberries ~Growing ~ Spring Frost
How Cranberries Grow: "Cranberries 101" - Spring Frost During the months of April, May, and June, the cranberry plant moves from winter dormancy allowing the bud to transition its development into uprights with flowers and fruit. A critical growing practice at this time is to monitor the growth of the cranberry vines by observing the vine’s pigmentation and the development and coloration of the bud at the end of upright vines. These clues give an indication as to what temperatures the plant will be able to withstand before a fatal frost sets in. Cranberries have a temperature tolerance at which the plant can withstand damage from frost. This tolerance changes as the plant matures each week during the spring growth spurt. A cranberry farm can loose their entire income for two years from severe frost damage, with damaging frost occurring in less than 20 minutes if not protected. It is not unheard of to have up to 30 nights of damaging frost during the spring growing season. By irrigating their bogs with water during a frost event, the layer of ice that forms over the vines actually protects the plant from the killing cold temperatures. A relatively new technology to the cranberry industry, automated irrigation systems enable growers to automatically turn on and off their irrigation pumps. These systems use sensors placed within the cranberry vines to monitor temperature and other weather conditions. These systems are fully-controllable via the Internet and growers can log onto a secure site to monitor and manage each pump. On average, a recent survey showed that growers utilizing automated irrigation systems can save more than 9,000 gallons of water per acre on a frost night. In addition, there are substantial savings in the amount of wear on the pumps, as well as on labor and fuel costs. View a slide show on spring frost in cranberry agriculture: (Click on the photo to start the show) Cranberry bud and blossom photos courtesy UMass Cranberry Station. View a brief video on frost protection: (15 sec.) For more information on the first implementation of automated irrigation systems in cranberry agriculture, download the Conservation Innovation Grant Final Report. (PDF: 532KB) How Cranberries Grow: Cranberries 101 Introduction - a brief background on cranberries Seasons of the Bog: Winter \| Spring \| Summer \| Fall Dry Harvesting - See how growers harvest fresh fruit Frost Protection: Spring - Cranberry plants need protection from cold temperatures Frost Protection: Fall - Cranberries need protection from cold temperatures Ice Sanding - See how growers perform this critical cultural practice Nutrition - Understand fertilizer use in cranberry production Pesticide Use - Learn how cranberry growers manage pests Pollination - Find out about cranberry flowers and the use of pollinators Water Use - A summary of water use in cranberries

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