The Pine Barrens of New Jersey are famous for their dense forests, unique landscapes, and even the Jersey Devil folklore! But did you know that this region is also home to one of the state’s tastiest treasures—the cranberry harvest? Every fall, vibrant cranberries are harvested in the Pine Barrens, marking a long-standing tradition rooted in New Jersey’s agricultural history.
If you visit places like Chatsworth in Burlington County, you’ll discover vast cranberry bogs where the harvest magic happens. Farmers flood the fields and use special machines to gently shake the cranberries loose from their vines, causing the berries to float to the surface. The sight of these red cranberries floating in the bogs is as beautiful as it is iconic. Once gathered, the berries are sent off to processing plants like Ocean Spray, where they’re turned into the cranberry products you enjoy at home.
New Jersey’s cranberry farms, including Pine Island Cranberry Company and Cutts
Brothers Cranberry Farm, have been in operation for over a century. These family-run farms produce millions of pounds of cranberries each year, making New Jersey the third-largest cranberry producer in the United States! Cranberry varieties like the Demoranville are grown here, and each harvest season is a celebration of local
tradition.
During the fall, New Jersey celebrates its cranberry heritage with festivals and events. If you’re looking for a unique experience this season, be sure to explore cranberry-themed activities across the Garden State.
The cranberry harvest runs through the end of October, so now is the perfect time to visit and take in this New Jersey tradition. You can even book a tour of a cranberry bog to witness the harvest firsthand. But hurry—these tours tend to sell out quickly!
For upcoming tours, check out these links:
– Lee Brothers Cranberries
– Pinelands Adventures Cranberry Bog Tour
Enjoy the season and savor the rich history that makes these little red berries such a big deal in the Garden State!
