The overlying soil is scraped away and stockpiled for later use. The subsoil is excavated down to about 18 inches above the final water table and rectangular beds formed that are about 150 feet wide by 600 or more fee long. Removing exposed soil reduces later weed and disease problems. The beds are leveled with the use of a laser so there are no low spots for water to collect. Beds are designed to flow water from an inlet bulkhead to an outlet bulkhead in the opposite end.
Any extra soil is sold and removed or stockpiled on site.
A reservoir, ditches, dikes and other water control structures are created. Once all dikes are in place the topsoil is spread on the sides of the dikes and seeded to grass to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. A sprinkler system including pumps, mainlines and laterals with sprinkler heads is established before vines are planted. Equipment storage buildings and pump houses are usually constructed to protect valuable equipment. Cultivar Selection Cranberries are seldom commercially produced today from their original native or wild vines.