Fruits· Vaccinium macrocarpon
Cranberry Growing Guide
Cranberry is a low-growing evergreen bog plant native to North America. It is one of very few commercially cultivated fruits native to the continent. Production requires unique flooded-bed (bog) infrastructure. Over 95% of the crop is processed into juice, sauce, and dried fruit.
How Long Does Cranberry Take to Grow?
Cranberry typically reaches its first harvest about 3 years after planting.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: peat, sand, muck
pH range: 5 - 5.5 (optimal: 5.3)
Drainage: poor
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- cranberry fruitworm
- sparganothis fruitworm
- gypsy moth
- cranberry weevil
Common Diseases
- fruit rot
- fairy ring
- false blossom
- phytophthora root rot
Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Cranberry bogs are flooded for harvest: berries contain air pockets and float, allowing mechanical wet-harvesting with water reels.
Winter flooding protects vines from cold desiccation and reduces pest populations; drain in spring before growth resumes.
Cranberry beds can produce for 100+ years with proper management; initial bog construction is the major capital expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Cranberry take to grow?
Cranberry typically takes about 3 years from planting to first harvest. Seeds germinate in about 21 days. The best planting season is spring.
What soil does Cranberry need?
Cranberry grows best in peat, sand, muck soil with a pH of 5-5.5. Poor drainage is required.
What temperature does Cranberry need?
Cranberry grows best at 15-25°C. Frost tolerance: high. Heat tolerance: low.
What is the expected yield for Cranberry?
Across 2 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Cranberry range from 6,460 to 27,100 kg/hectare, with a median of 16,780. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
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