<P> Cranberries are a major commercial crop in the U.S. states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Quebec . British Columbia's Fraser River Valley region produces 17 million kg of cranberries annually from 1,150 hectares, about 95% of total Canadian production . In the United States, Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries, with over half of U.S. production . Massachusetts is the second largest U.S. producer . Small volume production occurs in southern Argentina, Chile and the Netherlands . </P> <P> Historically, cranberry beds were constructed in wetlands . Today's cranberry beds are constructed in upland areas with a shallow water table . The topsoil is scraped off to form dykes around the bed perimeter . Clean sand is hauled in and spread to a depth of four to eight inches . The surface is laser leveled flat to provide even drainage . Beds are frequently drained with socked tile in addition to the perimeter ditch . In addition to making it possible to hold water, the dykes allow equipment to service the beds without driving on the vines . Irrigation equipment is installed in the bed to provide irrigation for vine growth and for spring and autumn frost protection . </P> <P> A common misconception about cranberry production is that the beds remain flooded throughout the year . During the growing season cranberry beds are not flooded, but are irrigated regularly to maintain soil moisture . Beds are flooded in the autumn to facilitate harvest and again during the winter to protect against low temperatures . In cold climates like Wisconsin, New England, and eastern Canada, the winter flood typically freezes into ice, while in warmer climates the water remains liquid . When ice forms on the beds, trucks can be driven onto the ice to spread a thin layer of sand that helps to control pests and rejuvenate the vines . Sanding is done every three to five years . </P> <P> Cranberry vines are propagated by moving vines from an established bed . The vines are spread on the surface of the sand of the new bed and pushed into the sand with a blunt disk . The vines are watered frequently during the first few weeks until roots form and new shoots grow . Beds are given frequent light application of nitrogen fertilizer during the first year . The cost of establishment for new cranberry beds is estimated to be about US $70,000 per hectare (approx . $28,300 per acre). </P>

Why do you always see cranberries in water