04/20/2026
forecast looks like tonight will be our first frost 🥶
It's officially spring frost season, which is one of the most critical periods of cranberry farming, and can make for some very late nights/early mornings for our growers. ☕☕☕☕
During the months of April, May, and June, growers monitor the growth of cranberry vines by observing pigmentation and bud development. 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 lose their entire income for two years from severe frost damage, with damaging frost occurring in less than 20 minutes if not protected. However, 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. 💦
