Post-Harvest
POST-HARVEST
- Trash Flooding: Flooding after harvest is a good means of removing ‘trash’ — i.e. dead cranberry leaves, twigs, and bruised berries. On a windy day, the ‘trash’ will be driven to a corner or edge where it can be skimmed from the water and then disposed of at a location far from the bed. Dead leaves and leftover berries serve as a source of disease inoculum and provide habitat for insect pests. Removing this material may reduce how often you need to sand.
- Post-Harvest Flooding: Ongoing research in Massachusetts (and grower practice) is finding that flooding for up to 4 weeks post-harvest suppresses dewberry plants and cranberry fruitworm. In some studies, mortality of overwintering cranberry fruitworm (in their hibernacula/cocoons on the bed) was close to 100%. No reduction of the crop has been reported after several years of experimentation with this particular flood.