If you love cranberries, don't buy them by the jar. Better plant the tasty berries yourself.
Anyone who loves cranberries should consider bringing these tasty berries into the garden. They have a sour taste, which is why not everyone likes the raw fruit. Processed into jelly, jam and compote or placed in a cake, the small berries are a real treat for the palate. So it's always worth growing cranberries in the garden yourself.
Facts about Cranberries
The lingonberry belongs to the bilberry family and is evergreen. Since the shrubs only grow to a height of between 10 and 40 centimetres, they are ideal for planting under tall trees. They form small, bell-shaped flowers from May to June. The red, sour fruits then form later.
The fruits are usually not eaten raw, but cooked. They not only convince with their taste. They are also very he althy because they are full of vitamins. They are also said to have healing properties. For example, cranberries are said to lower cholesterol levels, have an anti-inflammatory effect and protect against cancer.
How to properly plant cranberries
Planting time
Cranberries are always planted in autumn. September or October are the best months for this. If you are afraid that the plants will not survive the winter, you can plant them in the ground in early spring when there is no longer a great danger of frost.
Location
Cranberry plants like sunny to partially shaded spots in the garden that have moist and slightly acidic soil. The pH should be between 5 and 6. This is a basic requirement for successful cultivation. You should therefore test the pH of the soil beforehand. If it is too high, simply work some peat or bog soil into the soil.
Extension
Cranberry bushes can be solitary, but they can also grow under rhododendrons, azaleas or blueberry bushes. It is best to stand them in rows in the bed. Pay attention to a planting distance of approx. 40 centimetres. Each planting hole should be twice the size of the root ball. In addition, it is advisable to create a drainage made of gravel or potsherds, soprevent waterlogging. Once you have planted the shrubs, water them properly and you're done.
Harvest
In the first two years, the cranberry bushes will not bear fruit. But from the third year - and twice. The first harvest is in June/July. However, it usually turns out to be a bit smaller. The main harvest is then planned for the months of September and October.
Care for lingonberry bushes properly
Casting
Cranberries don't actually need a lot of water. However, the soil must never dry out completely. Therefore it is advisable to mulch the lingonberry bushes.
Remember to water the bushes in autumn too. Then, when other plants don't need as much water, the cranberries still need it.
Fertilize
When it comes to fertilizing, you don't have to put a lot of effort into cranberries. It is sufficient if you provide the bushes with horn meal and compost once a year.
cut
After flowering, it is advisable to thin out the lingonberry bushes. This way the sun can reach all parts of the bush and ensure that the berries turn nice and red. Otherwise no pruning is necessary for the cranberries.
Wintering
In winter you don't have to worry that your cranberry bushes won't survive the cold temperatures. After all, they are hardy down to -20 degrees Celsius. If it really gets colder in winter, simply protect the bushes with some brushwood.