How to Grow Cranberry Plants in the Garden

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Have you ever thought about growing your own cranberry , so you may always have a fresh supply for juices , charmer , pies , and of class , your holiday board ?

I bang using tonic cranberries in broil . Nothing quiver sassy cranberry clams and muffins directly out of the oven .

And dried cranberries are a basic in my homemade breakfast granola mix .

Cranberry Fruitworm. Photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org, viaCC BY-SA.

We yoke to vendors to assist you bump relevant mathematical product . If you buy from one of our tie , we may earn a commission .

Instead of buy jars of mess - grow sauce as an escort to a holiday turkey , roast cranberries are a basic on my Christmas mesa , but more about that later .

So it ’s a disgrace that many mass opine cranberries are too unmanageable to rise at plate , or are under the depression that they only grow in bog .

Cranberry Fruitworm. Photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org, viaCC BY-SA.

While it is true that they are commercially grow in natural or manmade bogs , and you may have seen picture of farmers get into waders , up to their knees in piss , this is not how they are grown – only a commercial method of “ wet ” harvesting .

It ’s actually quite light to grow cranberry plants in your garden – offer you could meet three very important conditions for their growth :

acid soil , adequate moisture , and 1000 - 2500 gelidity hours of coolheaded temperatures between 32 and 45 ° atomic number 9 .

concerned ? Let ’s get started !

What You’ll Learn

Cultivation and History

cranberry belong to the subgenusOxycoccusof the genusVacciniumand are penis of the Ericaceae , or heath family , which includesblueberries .

The species of cranberry aboriginal to North America isV. macrocarpon , aka heavy , lawful , or American cranberry , while the variety commonly grown in Europe isV. oxycoccus .

The North American variety is suitable for cultivation inUSDA Hardiness Zones2 - 7 . It ’s a woody , low - growing , perennial plant with rhizomatous roots , which grows runners of up to six feet longsighted , and can be implant in bottom or pots .

Most of the flowers and fruit are borne on “ uprights , ” stem with a perpendicular growth habit up to 18 inches improbable , that sprout from buds on the runners .

Of naturally , cranberries have a rich history in North America , long before they were cultivate commercially .

aboriginal multitude , including the Algonquin , Cree , and Chippewa collected wild cranberries to use as nutrient , medicine , and dyestuff . The Algonquin called themsassamanash , which stand for “ rancid berries . ”

They did n’t just pick up the berries , either . The leaves were used to make a fresh tea , and according to an clause by Sarah Whitman - Salkin in theNational Geographic Magazine , were even used as a tobacco substitute by the Inuktitut .

Iroquois and Chippewa used the yield for a mixed bag of medicinal purpose .

The fruit was traditionally used in pemmican , a mixture of dry out pith , juicy , and berries , made into small cakes . Pemmican was a alimental - racy food that would last for several months , ideal for times of nutrient shortage or when travel –   a traditional “ energy bar , ” perhaps .

If you ’re wondering when the ever - popular cranberry sauce first appear , it was way back in 1663 in the Pilgrim Cookbook .

Today , cranberry are popular all over the world , although 98 pct of the world’scommercially develop cranberriescome from the US and Canada .

Despite their super tart savor when eaten raw , they ’re a steadfast dearie in juice , Proto-Indo European , relish , and cakes – and are made much more palatable by the addition of sugar . dried berries are a tasty snack , equally at home base in sunrise oatmeal or spatter over a summertime salad .

Cranberry succus is an important fixings in the much - loved ( by me , anyway ) cocktail , the Cosmopolitan , and is ofttimes used in an attempt to allay the symptom of UTIs ( the juice , not the cocktail ! ) .

Propagation

Although cranberriescanbe grown from seed , you ’ll need some patience as it can take three to five years for a seed - grown plant to produce fruit .

Also , bear in mind that any seed you relieve from existing plants may not develop honest to the parent , as there are a identification number of different hybrid and cultivated varieties in circulation .

However , you may take cuttings from existing plants to steady down at plate , and in some orbit you may find frozen press cutting or nursery starts available from your local garden center field for transplantation .

I ’ll cover the different propagation methods below :

From Seed

Unless they are labelled as “ pre - stratified , ” seeds will require a period of cold social stratification before seed . you may do this by placing them in the refrigerator for about three monthsbefore sowing indoors .

After they have been cold stratify , you ’ll need three- to four - inch pots and some acidulous , ericaceous potting intermixture . Place two seeds in each mass , planted about 1/4 in recondite , and cut through lightly . Press the land down lightly and mist with body of water .

determine a strong place to put the slew – the soil ask to observe a consistent temperature of 70 ° F for seeds to germinate . You may look at using a heat mat . Seeds will typically shoot in 3 - 5 weeks , although it could take longer .

Keep the growing average evenly moist but not waterlogged , and do not allow it dry out out .

After sprouting , thin out the smallest seedling from each pot . direct the hatful in a warm but not too hot ( 60 - 75 ° farad ) placement , and water them consistently , as these plants do n’t tolerate teetotal conditions .

For the first year after germination , it ’s best to keep the seedlings in their pots , uphold even moisture , and institute out in either the spring or fall .

From Stem Cuttings

A more reliable method of propagate cranberries is via stem cuttings , which take antecedent easy .

machinate one or more small pots with a well - enfeeble , acidulent potting admixture , or veritable potting soil amended with peat moss or ericaceous compost .

In springiness or early summer , take a five- to eight - inch cutting . Remove all but the top four or five leaves , and any heyday buds , and dip the slice end into fine-grained root internal secretion ( if desired ) .

Make a hole in the potting medium and rate the slip about three to four inches inscrutable . Your pot can then be transferred to a fond location with collateral sunshine , such as a windowsill or greenhouse . Maintain even wet in the dirt , and think back : do n’t ever let it dry out out !

After six to eight weeks , the carving should take root , and can be transfer into a larger potentiometer or out into the garden .

From Seedlings and Transplanting

If you ’ve bought one- to three - twelvemonth - old plants , or when your own seedling are older enough , you’re able to transplant them into their permanent bed .

But before you set them out , you ’ll need to do some preparation . As mentioned , cranberry works require acidulous soil that drains well . While theydolike a lot of moisture , they do not fly high in oversaturated conditions .

Ideally , soil pH should be 4 - 5.5 , which you may control byconducting a soil testor with a pH metre .

Gain Express Soil pH and Moisture Meter

you’re able to come up a stain pH and moisture meteravailable via Amazon .

If the soil is n’t acidic enough , you could addpeat moss , an ericaceous compost mix , or a land acidifier such as S , to the top few column inch to increase acidity .

Espoma Soil Acidifier

you’re able to find a mix of elemental sulfur and gypsum from Espoma , useable via Amazon , that is suitable for organic gardens .

If your soil is laborious , you could also add George Sand to better drain .

In cool areas , the best meter to set them out is in the spring , after all risk of frost has passed . If you live somewhere milder , where wintertime are warmer , you may safely embed them in fall .

You ’ll need a sunny stain to target them , though in strong climates they can tolerate a little afternoon specter .

Remove all weeds and weed from the planting location , as they can choke young cranberry industrial plant .

At this microscope stage you could blend a littlebone mealinto the soil , according to software package statement .

Dig a hole that is a little larger than the sizing of the container the transplantation was originate in , allowing two feet between each plant to leave enough elbow room for the runners to scatter out .

irrigate the hole before you place the plant in , and then gently backfill with soil and water again .

For planting in pots , you ’ll need a 12 to 18 - inch wide of the mark container , eight in recondite .

Cranberry plant do n’t have mysterious roots , typically only four to six in , but the runners do take blank to distribute . If you do select to grow your plants in containers , you ’ll have to be extra wakeful about tearing , as raft dry out much quicker than garden stain .

you may learn more about how to grow cranberries in containers in our guide . ( come soon ! )

How to Grow

Once your cranberry plants have been transplant , you ’ll find they are easy to keep .

The main care they necessitate is maintaining adequate , even moisture – one in of waterper week is normally sufficient , depending on weather conditions . Be extra vigilant during ironic spells or heatwaves .

When you irrigate your crop , keep in idea that a lot of municipal water is alkaline , and can involve the pH of the soil . Where possible , you should use rain water or filtered water .

You need to keep the growing orbit weed - free , as grass or other undesirable plants will vie for water and nutrients . hired man weed the area regularly , and take care not to commove the soil around the shallow root .

you’re able to employ alayer of mulcharound immature flora to aid in moisture retentivity and help oneself to bottle up sess .

As mentioned , your plants need 1000 - 2500 thrill time of day in purchase order to fruit and produce a crop . During the winter months , protect your plants with alayer of organic mulch – pine boughs work well as they also add acid to the soil .

cranberry ask very little fertiliser . If you are concerned that your dirt is lacking in nutrients , you could fertilise in bounce with a 2 - 4 - 2 ( NPK ) Pisces emulsion .

In spring , you could remove any dead or damaged stems , and prune the runners thinly , take a few column inch off the ends , to encourage the growth of the flower - take over uprights and keep the plant life from spreading too far .

Growing Tips

Cultivars to Select

Over 100 North American cranberry cultivars are available on the grocery store today . Some of these are only available to commercial agriculturalist , but there ’s still a skilful selection for the home nurseryman .

you could learn more about thedifferent cranberry varieties in our templet .

Here are three options for you to see :

Early Black

‘ Early Black ’ is a vigorous agriculturalist , producing sullen ruddy berry that , as the name suggests , ripen ahead of time – typically from later August in most locales . The yield is comparatively sweet , when compared to other miscellany .

It ’s not ill-tempered about dirt , display some resistance to pretended bloom , and is frost - tolerant .

In insensate conditions , the foliage turns an unusual tad of red - bronze .

Pilgrim

‘ Pilgrim Father ’ is a popular loan-blend cross of ‘ McFarlin ’ and ‘ Prolific . ’ Attractive , dark pink bloom give elbow room to an abundance of shiny , plump , non-white red berries , which are especially juicy and delicious .

‘ Pilgrim Father ’

This cultivar is moderately tolerant to assumed blossom .

you’re able to find out plant life in 3.25 - inch containersavailable via Amazon .

Stevens

‘ Stevens ’ is a popular hybrid motley producing an teemingness of mystifying carmine , juicy fruit . A crown of thorns between ‘ McFarlin ’ and ‘ Potter , ’ plants are pretty repellent to false flush .

‘ George Stevens ’

you could find out plantsavailable at Fast grow Treesin two - dry quart and two - gallon containers .

Managing Pests and Disease

Cranberry plants produce at home do n’t typically stomach from many pests and disease issues , but there are a few you should be aware of .

Insects

In addition to the usual garden annoyances such asaphids , whitefly , andthrips , keep a near center out for these critters , which can ruin your cranberry vines :

The cranberry fruitworm ( Acrobasis vaccinii ) is the larvae of a moth belong to the Pyralidae crime syndicate .

The adults lay their ballock on unripe yield and when they think of , the larvae burrow into berries to prey on the soft pulp magazine . These lowly Caterpillar are green , with chocolate-brown stripes along their spine . Fully grown , they are up to half an inch long .

prey larva causes the fruit to twist ruddy untimely , and then to dry out up and shrivel . You may notice entry and expiration yap on each berry , extend with a fine webbing .

These pests have a voracious appetency and will move from berry to berry , crunch their way through your harvest .

Cranberry fruitworms can be difficult to manage , because the ballock are so tiny , they can only be consider under a microscope . The adult moths tend to be fighting overnight , and at dawn and gloam .

Keep the area around your plants free from weed and works junk , and consider usingpheromone trapsto monitor the presence of adult moths .

If you find evidence of the adult , you’re able to care for your plant preventatively with bio - pesticides such as spinosad or neem oil colour . These will ask to be applied before the blossom phase .

Ladybugs are one of the fruitworm ’s principal predators , so encourage these and otherbeneficial predatorsto take up abode in your garden .

you could also purchase ladybird to release into your garden . Be sure to pick out those that have been enhance in captivity rather than ladybugs that have been collected from the natural state and shipped elsewhere .

Cranberry weevils , Anthonomus musculus , are tiny beetles that attack a variety of plant , including blueberry .

These insidious beetle lay their egg in peak bud , and when they hatch the larvae Edvard Munch away on the developing blossoms , prevent them from producing fruit . The flower bud will often change color and come out orange as a result of the legal injury .

The grownup beetles will feed new leaves , unopened bloom , and the unripe berry .

grounds of adults feeding can let in black touch on the undersides of the folio and runners , which can often looksimilar to frost damage .

These pests are a major threat to commercial cranberry operation , particularly in Massachusetts . They are hard to control and commercial growers habituate a mixed bag of insecticides not available to home gardeners .

Yellow sticky trap , uncommitted at Arbico Organics , placed in and around the planting sphere can help to contract adult populations .

you’re able to learn more about unwashed cranberry pests in our guide ( occur before long ! )

Disease

There are a few diseases that can affect cranberry flora , but these are typically a trouble for large - scale growers .

False peak is triggered by a virus - corresponding phytoplasma , overspread by the blunt - nosed grasshopper ( Limotettix vaccinii ) resulting in unnatural growth in flowers postdate by afailure to set yield .

septic plant may shape a “ witch Scots heather ” visual aspect , with stem that move around a scarlet - dark-brown colour .

There is no handling except to get rid of the pathological vine . Many modern hybrid varieties are resistant to false flush .

There are two types of fungous leaf spot disease that normally touch cranberry plant . Typically these are not fateful , and are gentle to wield .

Red foliage slur is caused byExobasidium rostrupii , and shows up as bright red spots on the top Earth’s surface of the leaves , followed by a bloodless fungous growth on the undersides , not unlike in appearing topowdery mildew .

Protoventuria folio spot is caused byProtoventuria myrtilli , and is sometimes consult to as gibbera leaf spotlight . Small dark red point appear on the upper surface of the leaves , the foliage eventually turns chloritic , and tiny black fruiting organic structure appear .

Moist , damp stipulation favour the outbreak of fungous infections , which is why it is very authoritative that your land is well draining .

Unless the outbreak is extensive , you may usually treat either of these infections by shave off feign plant tissue ( and dispose of the junk in the applesauce , not yourcompost pile ) , and irrigating in the forenoon , so the foliage has a chance to dry out over the course of the 24-hour interval , to debar a build up of humidity .

Rose prime is a fungal contagion make byExobasidium vaccinii , which assault new shoot growth , causing the branches to thicken and enlarge , producing light pinkish leaves that seem a bitlike lowly rose .

Sometimes the flush and fruit can become infected as well .

you’re able to treat rose heyday with a broad spectrum fungicide .

Apply accord to parcel instructions . you’re able to get word more about thesafe software of chemicals in our guide .

You ’ll find more info about cranberry diseases in this pathfinder . ( amount before long ! )

Harvesting

commercial-grade cranberry growers have two method acting of harvest , look on what the fruit will be used for : wet harvesting and ironical harvest .

Wet harvesting methods are typically used for fruit that are destined to be made into juice , sauces , or as ingredients in processed food . ironical methods are used for those that are going to be sold fresh , for cooking and bake .

You ’ll know your cranberry are quick for harvesting when they ’re an even , deep carmine color , more or less firm to the touch . This is typically between the outset of September to the end of November , depending on the variety you are grow .

you could also hear the bounce test – cranberries have pockets of melodic line in them , which means they are springy . If a cranberry saltation when you drop it , that ’s a sign that it ’s utterly right . Unripe cranberries will not remain to mature after they are pick from the plant .

If you’re able to carry to wait , a light-headed frost or two will generally sweeten the berries . Harvesting is a simple appendage : foot the berries gently by hand , and discombobulate away any which are damage , bruised , or very subdued .

Preserving

bear on your treasured harvest have in mind you ’ll always have an ample supply at hand to make a delicious sauce or pie .

Always wash cranberries thoroughly before taking any steps to preserve them . The sweet fruits will last three to four calendar week in the refrigerator .

you could block your crop straight after harvest . They ’ll keep for 10 - 12 months in sealed Deepfreeze bags or an airtight plastic box . To do this , scatter them out on a baking sheet and place them in the Deepfreeze for a few hours , then transfer to null top bags or your container of choice .

You do n’t even need to defrost them before using them in baking or preparation – just take them out of the freezer and add them to your formula as you would overbold Chuck Berry .

I choose using frozen cranberry when bake , as they apply their shape better and the color does n’t “ phlebotomise ” into the finished product as much as it does with refreshful fruits .

dry cranberries are one of my favorite additions to morning muesli and wintertime oatmeal . Drying them is pretty easy , and they ’ll keep for a month or two .

Before you throw them in the dehydrator , you’re able to choose to dulcorate them . I do n’t do this , because I like the slightly tart relish .

To sweeten them , place them in a sens and pour out boiling piss over the top , have them sit for a bit , and then run out and wrap them in report towel to dry off .

Then , make a round-eyed syrup of one part sugar to two parts piddle , and add this to a bowl along with the blanched yield . Let it baby-sit for five to ten minute , or longer if you prefer .

Drain off the simple syrup , pat the fruit dry with a paper towel , and place them in a single stratum on a baking sheet in the oven , on its lowest setting , for 8 - 12 hours , checking regularly .

you could also use a dehydrator . If you do n’t have a dehydrator , why not check out this review fromour sister situation , Foodal , which will also give youtop confidential information for dehydratinga motley of produce .

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

I kid you not , there are so many unlike ways you’re able to practice your homegrown crop .

Remember I mentioned roast cranberries as an alternative to the entrepot - bought sauce ?

This is my favorite accompaniment to a Christmas dud , but I also enjoy them with a pork knock . Check out the formula , with step - by - step instructions , on our sister site , Foodal .

Or for an interesting twist on the traditional cranberry sauce , head to Foodal for the recipe .

While we ’re on the topic of the holidays , you may also add them to a homemade stollen , a traditional staff of life from Germany . This recipe isalso from Foodal .

And if you require some inspiration for a healthy side mantrap , have a gander at this white walnut squash and cranberry quinoa recipe , over at Foodal .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Crank up the Cranberry Goodness

There are so many delicious room to usethese good for you , nutritive berries .

And as long as you may fulfill those three conditions to keep them happy – chill hours , acidulous soil , and plenty of water – you could soon have your own cranberry plants , with berries ready for harvest in time for next Thanksgiving .

And for more entropy aboutgrowing fruitin your garden , check out these handy growing guides next :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . retool and expanded from an original draft by Alexa Ward . merchandise exposure via Arbico Organics , Bonide , degraded Growing Trees , and Hirt ’s Gardens . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .

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Clare Groom