What to Wear Cranberry Picking

Footwear

• The appropriate footwear for cranberry picking varies depending on the type harvesting method used. Commercial growers often use a wet harvesting method, which floods bogs with water so cranberries float to the surface. For wet harvesting, you'll need to wear waders, like fishing waders, in order to keep feet and legs dry. The growers may provide these if needed; call them ahead of time to find out if visiting a commercial operation. Some smaller cranberry farms harvest the berries dry, which is the old-fashioned way. Soil may still be wet enough to require knee-high rubber boots. Again, a call to the grower will clue you in to current ground conditions. At very least, wear footwear that is somewhat waterproof or that you don't mind getting muddy, and socks to keep your feet warm.

Sweatshirts and Jackets

• What you wear to cover your arms and torso should be comfortable, as you'll be reaching and stretching frequently. Wear something weather-appropriate, such as zippered sweatshirt you can unzip if you feel warm, or layers such as a t-shirt under a warm sweater or medium-weight jacket. Since cranberries are harvested at the end of autumn, the weather may be cold enough to wear a winter jacket. Wear items that are easy to wash and that you don't mind getting dirty, as there's a chance of coming home with dirt or cranberry stains on your clothes. A jacket or sweatshirt with pockets offers the chance to warm your hands when they get cold.

Pants

• If harvesting cranberries in a dry or semi-dry bog, you may be kneeling a lot, since cranberries grow on a vine. Wear comfortable pants that can handle dirt and are easy to wash, such as jeans or cargo pants. Knee pads are a welcome add-on if you normally wear them while kneeling in the garden. Most likely, the weather will not be warm enough for shorts or capris; check your local forecast ahead of time to choose pants that will keep you warm if you intend to stay outdoors for a while. Thermal underwear or leggings beneath the pants can add warmth if temperatures are near freezing.

Hats and Gloves

• Keeping head and hands warm is important, especially if you plan to spend more than 10 or 15 minutes outdoors. Wear a comfortable winter hat to keep your head warm, or a hood and hat if it's windy. A scarf protects your face from wind and keeps it warm, making breathing a little easier through the fabric if the windchill is extreme. Gloves or mittens keep hands warm between picks, or opt for gloves or mittens with fingers that fold back to keep at least part of the hand warm as you pick.