History
The first cranberry marshes in Wisconsin were planted in the mid- to late-1800s.  During this time, all the work on the marshes was done by hand.  Until the 1950s, cranberries were still harvested by hand using rakes or scoops. Once mechanical harvesting machines were built, growers were able to harvest many times more cranberries than ever before, and Wisconsin’s cranberry industry grew steadily.  Cranberries are currently Wisconsin’s #1 fruit crop, and Wisconsin is the top cranberry-producing state.

How do cranberries grow?
The cranberry plant is a perennial low-lying vine, made up of two main parts, runner vines and upright vines. Upright vines produce the cranberries, and the runners support the uprights. Cranberry vines are propagated from existing vine cuttings.  Once the vines are planted, they will last 50 years or more if well-maintained. Every year in June, the vines produce blossoms which, when pollinated, produce berries.  The berries grow throughout the spring and summer, then harvest begins in the fall, usually starting around the beginning of October.  Once the harvest is completed and the vines have gone dormant for the winter, the beds are flooded again with water until the ice has frozen to protect them from the harsh winter wind and snow.  When the ice thaws in the spring, the cranberry vines come out of their dormancy and the cycle begins again.