According to Hilary Sandler, Director at UMass Cranberry Station in Wareham, the effects of climate change have delayed the cranberry harvest at local bogs. Sandler said warm temperatures the region saw in September led to the station having its harvest last week, later than usual. She said some berry picking started last month, but last week was the first full week for local growers.
"Normally, we'll start picking September 10th, and I don't think people really got picking maybe until the 20s. And growers were really being selective and going and finding those very early-ripening varieties," Sandler said.
Cranberries need the cool nighttime fall temperatures to gain their red color. High July temperatures over 85 degrees also affected cranberry growth. This year’s state crop is forecasted to be a little under 2 million barrels, down about 1% from the year before.
Source: capeandislands.org