The A.D. Makepeace Company, based in Wareham, is North America’s largest cranberry grower, the largest private property owner in eastern Massachusetts, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Cranberries are our heritage and our livelihood. Our 169-year history in the cranberry industry affects the way we do business, and it strengthens the communities we build.
LIFE on the BOG
Summer on the Bog
During the summer, we are busy making sure the berries that are forming get enough food and water. The summer months require weed management and most often will include hand pulling weeds. Fertilizers are generally applied, as needed, from June through August, either through our irrigation systems or by helicopter. We have recently begun experimenting with the application of fertilizer through a commercial drone developed for this purpose. The drone is programmed to cover the bog precisely, and can fly low enough to eliminate any overspray.
Meanwhile, the pollinators are at work. A.D. Makepeace Company growers work with a mix of bumblebees and honeybees. Bumblebees do their job even on chilly or rainy days. A typical honeybee prefers to work only in the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Because bumblebees are less likely to sting, those are typically used most in the areas, like around Rosebrook in Wareham and Redbrook in Plymouth, where they are more likely to be encountered by humans.
As with all farming, pest management is a crucial component of growing a good crop. We practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques as an ecological approach to pest control. IPM includes a combination of biological, cultural, or chemical control methods. Throughout the spring and summer, IPM scouts use insect nets and sticky traps to monitor pest activity.
Summer, 2024
ADM Preserves Thousands of Acres
/in General /by Linda BurkeA new report shows that the A.D. Makepeace Company is preserving more than 2,250 acres of open space in Plymouth. The report, prepared for the company by engineering consultant Beals […]
ADM Donates Land to Plymouth
/in General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeThe Town of Plymouth is pleased to announce that the A.D. Makepeace Company/Redbrook has generously donated two acres of land on Bourne Road to the Town. The A.D. Makepeace Company/Redbrook […]
ADM Recognized for Carver Elementary School Donation
/in Events, General, Real Estate /by Linda BurkeCARVER – Members of the school community recognized the A.D. Makepeace Company and its Read Custom Soils division Monday for contributing special engineered soil valued at more than $50,000 for […]