Vaccinium macrocarpon – Cranberry

General Information: The slender, wiry, trailing stems of Cranberry develop small, oval, dark-green, evergreen leaves that turn burgundy in fall and winter. The flowers, which are small, urn-shaped, intricate, and colorful, appear in late spring. These plants produce the cultivated Cranberry fruit. They are attractive plants, especially when laden with colorful fruits in autumn. Requirements for successful commercial cultivation are exacting, however, Cranberries will grow satisfactorily as a home garden plant and produce fruit in moist, acidic, sandy, or peaty soil. They especially enjoy being planted among Mosses. This classic Thanksgiving addition also has a lengthy history as a food source and medicine for Indigenous Peoples of North America. Adding these adorable and delicious fruits to your collection is an exciting way to preserve the beauty of autumn in delicious recipes that can be made all winter long!

Edible Qualities: A popular fruit, especially around Thanksgiving. Cranberries need no special pretreatment to be harvested and enjoyed. Simply harvest and prepare them! They are rather astringent, acidic, and somewhat bitter when raw, developing a delicious sweetness and tartness when cooked. Use in sauces, as a garnish, dried, made into preserves, or juiced. The ever-popular Cranberry has many uses!

Cultivation Details: These plants are self-fertile. Crop yields increase when two or more plants of a different cultivar are planted together. A small planting can be quite productive, especially if the plants can be protected from late spring frosts while blossoming. Space plants 2-3 ft apart for optimum production and ground coverage. Under good conditions, plants will spread up to 1½ ft within a year. Plants should be spaced so that each plant can spread for at least 2 years before touching another. A bog is not required to grow these plants, however, they do thrive in boggy areas due to minimal weed pressures. For best growth and fruiting they should not be too wet. Moist, well-drained, acidic garden soil is ideal. Cranberries make a great “edimental” groundcover. Ideal for nutrient-poor soil if it meets pH and drainage requirements.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Fruiting will be limited in shadier areas. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates drier sites with a sufficient mulch of organic matter or Moss. Suitable for acidic, mildly acidic, and neutral soils. Ideal pH 4.5 – 5.5. Does not tolerate alkaline soils.