Cranberry

Cranberries

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are low-growing, evergreen shrubs that produce tart, red berries. They belong to the Ericaceae family, which also includes blueberries and [Lingonberry|[lingonberries]].

Starting Plants

Cranberries are typically propagated from rooted cuttings or purchased as bare-root or container-grown plants. Cuttings can be taken from dormant, one-year-old wood in late winter or early spring. Plant cranberries in acidic soil (pH 4.0-5.5) with high organic matter content. Cranberries require a unique growing environment, often in beds or bogs with a controlled water table.

Planting Time

Plant container-grown or bare-root cranberries in early spring, 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. Space plants 1-2 feet apart, depending on the variety.

Harvesting

Cranberries typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting. Berries are ready to harvest in late September to early November when they have turned deep red. Traditional harvesting involves flooding the beds and using mechanical harvesters to remove the berries from the plants. For smaller plantings, berries can be handpicked. Cranberry plants can produce fruit for 25 years or more with proper care.

Seed Harvesting

Cranberries are not typically grown from seed, as they have a low germination rate and can take several years to produce fruit.

Commonly Grown Varieties

Some popular cranberry varieties include:

Stevens: A high-yielding, large-fruited variety with good disease resistance.
Pilgrim: A vigorous, cold-hardy variety with dark red berries.
Mullica Queen: A variety with large, deep red berries and good storage qualities.
Crimson Queen: A newer variety with large, bright red berries and high yields.

Culinary Uses

Cranberries are versatile and can be used in various dishes:

Cranberry sauce: Cook cranberries with sugar and water to make a classic Thanksgiving side dish.
Cranberry juice: Press fresh cranberries to make a tart, healthy juice.
Cranberry muffins: Incorporate fresh or dried cranberries into muffin batter for a tangy breakfast treat.
Cranberry relish: Chop fresh cranberries with oranges and sugar for a fresh, zesty condiment.
Cranberry salad: Combine fresh or dried cranberries with greens, nuts, and cheese for a flavorful salad.