Large cranberry / American cranberry

Plant family

The Heath (Ericaceae)

Also known as

Bearberry

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

6 cm

Instructions

Description

The cranberry is also known as large-fruited cranberry or cranberry and, like the cranberry and blueberry, belongs to the heather family (Ericaceae). It is a good ground cover, as the plant forms tendrils and grows only 25 cm tall. It is accustomed to acidic forest soils. In taste it resembles cranberry and needs similar growing conditions. Very decorative with white-red flowers and red berries and evergreen leaves.

Growing tips

The relatively hardy cranberries are not usually susceptible to frost. The plants are only susceptible to early frosts in the fall or late frosts during budding and will therefore appreciate warm protection from fleece, riprap or similar materials. Cranberries are planted in the spring from March to May or in the fall from September to mid-October. Before planting, however, the soil must first be prepared. The soil of the entire area to be planted is dug out to a depth of around 15 to 20 cm. This soil can then be used for other beds such as raised beds. It must be replaced because it is not acidic enough. This 15 to 20 cm deep layer of soil is now filled with a mixture of sand, rotted bark mulch or bark humus, rotted compost, needle litter and acidic rhododendron soil. Sand is added in a proportion of around 10 percent. Now it's time to plant. Then water well. Stores well in the fridge. The plant is self-fertile, but several plants can still be an advantage. The berries are ripe as soon as the flesh has turned red. (From plantura.garden)