• Soil moisture in retired cranberry farms is low, uniform and has little variability.
• Targeted restoration actions can increase soil moisture in retired farms.
• Microtopography generation during restoration increases soil moisture and variability.
• Microtopography increases persistently inundated areas apt for obligate wetland species.
• Detailed soil moisture surveys provide a snapshot into future success of restoration actions.
• Soil moisture in retired cranberry farms is low, uniform and has little variability. • Targeted restoration actions can increase soil moisture in retired farms. • Microtopography generation during restoration increases soil moisture and variability. • Microtopography increases persistently inundated areas apt for obligate wetland species. • Detailed soil moisture surveys provide a snapshot into future success of restoration actions.