Cultivation of cranberries

They can grow and survive only under a very special combination of factors. Cranberries thrive in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. They are often grown on sandy or peaty bogland properties found in wetlands. Wetlands are nature's sponges; they store and purify water and help to maintain the water table. Cranberries grow in beds layered with sand, peat and gravel.

Cranberries can grow in ordinary acid soil. Planted in ordinary soil add plenty of peat moss or other organic matter and use a heavy peat moss mulch to protect plants in the winter months.

Cranberries are perennial, and once planted they will keep producing crops year after year even with minimal care. Growers use water to protect cranberries from frost and hot weather in summer. As a general rule, each acre of cranberries will use seven to ten feet of water to meet all production, harvesting and flooding needs. There are two main ways cranberry growers bring water onto the bogs – through sprinkler systems and through flooding.

Cranberry plants grow runners measuring from 1 to 6 feet long with dark green, glossy leaves during its growth phase and reddish brown during the dormant season.

The plant should start producing cranberries in 2 to 3 years. Harvest in late September to early October. They develop in large clusters making them easy to pick. When they are ready to harvest the seed turns a brownish color and the berries turn a burgundy color.
Cultivation of cranberries