Cranberry Bog Tours on Cape Cod

One of just three fruits native to New England, cranberries are a Cape Cod icon. The cranberry bog has been a central part of New England farming for hundreds of years. Even today, there is a distinct culture surrounding cranberry bogs, and visiting one during the harvest is a classic New England fall activity. If you've ever wondered what, exactly, a cranberry bog is and how to get the most out of visiting one, you're in luck. We've waded into the mire to get the inside scoop on Cape Cod's famous fruit.

                                                   Cape Cod & Beyond Properties

The History of Massachusetts Cranberry Bogs

Native Americans introduced European settlers to cranberries near what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. They used the versatile fruit for food, dye, and medicine. The settlers learned to harvest wild cranberries and came to rely on them for nutrients and for bartering with their Native American neighbors. Whalers and merchants discovered that they could snack on cranberries during long stints at sea to fend off scurvy. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow underwater. Instead, they thrive above ground on acidic peat moss with a steady supply of fresh water. They also benefit from exposure to sand, making them particularly perfect for the marshes, ponds, and bogs of coastal New England. Commercial cultivation of the cranberry began in earnest in 1816 and the berries were sold in Europe shortly thereafter. With the help of its unique climate, Cape Cod dominated the cranberry market along with other coastal New England areas. Cranberry bogs remain an economic engine in the region to this day, and a popular destination for visitors looking to appreciate their beauty and utility in New England.

When to Visit a Massachusetts Cranberry Bog

Cranberry bogs have a surprisingly long growing season, from April to November, and benefit from the freezing of the ground for a brief dormant period. Fall is the best time to come observe the berries in all their ripened glory. The bright red berries floating en masse during a wet harvest make for some striking New England imagery and form the cornerstone of an array of harvest festivities. For the main event in the world of cranberry bogs, visit Wareham, MA, in October for the Cranberry Harvest Celebration. Co-sponsored by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and Ocean Spray Cranberries, the festival features wet harvest demonstrations, artisan cranberry crafts and foods, boat rides through the bogs, vendors, and live music. Admission is inexpensive and parking is free, so this festival makes a great way to spend a day.

Cranberry Bog Tours

If you can’t make it to the festival, you can still get a feel for Massachusetts cranberry bogs with a visit to a working bog during the autumn months.  Each cranberry bog offers a slightly different package, ranging from cranberry bog tours to boat rides to the opportunity to step right into the bog yourself. Head to PJ’s Cranberries in East Sandwich, MA, for the chance to buy bags of freshly harvested cranberries. Each bag comes with paper recipes for cranberry pancakes and cranberry bread! Annie’s Crannies in Dennis, MA, also has Bogside Honey and Beeswax candles. Flax Pond Farms in Carver, MA, offers tours of their bog as well as a gift shop that includes cranberry condiments and cranberry candles. Really get your feet wet with Mayflower Cranberries’s “Be The Grower” package in Plympton, MA, in which visitors don waders and lend a hand. The Cranberry Association has a list of all Massachusetts cranberry bogs.

Where to Stay

After a day of wading through marshes and sampling their sweet crops, the thought of the car ride home can be daunting. Rather than buckling in for the long haul, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery from a hotel just minutes from your cranberry bog of choice. Staying at one of the great Sandwich hotels puts you very close to Wareham and East Sandwich, while Plymouth hotels position you to explore Plympton nicely.

You might also like...