Out messing around in the woods other day. See theses wild Cranberrys. I know couple of places where they grow not in hug patches. This picture is pretty much all the berries in this spot and I've watched this little patch for years. I'm sure there must be some critter that eats these at some time during the year. I know I have seen them still on the vines during deer season end of November. I've also picked a few red one and ate them. Their pretty tart right off the vine.
Just wondering if anyone else notices them or has them in their area. Maybe even picks or used them? There are a lot of commercial berry farms in here the area. Far as I know these are just wild berries.



Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

I have a couple small patches on my place, back in the bog behind the house. I have picked them a few times over the years. Once I made "craisins" from a batch and they were as good as store-bought. Tried it two other years and they were awful. I gave up.

I found a small patch at the bottom of a sand mine, was close to the water table I guess, I haven't been back there in years, the whole area was developed so I'm sure they're gone, but it was good while it lasted.

lots around here this year a very wet spring and summer,

I am FAR from an expert but I believe those are low bush cranberries. We have High Bush Cranberries here and I have planted quite a few too. The prefer moist areas like creek banks or swamps. The berries turn bright red and hold all winter. The grouse love them and will stay all day by them as long as they hold berries. Mine are normally picked clean sometime in January.

Are the wild cranberries decent raw or only good cooked?

Where I live in Ohio, our ground is too alkaline for blueberries, cranberries and lingonberries. Even after amending the soil and treating with acidifiers and acidic fertilizer, the bushes gradually weaken and die over time. I've only got a few wild blueberry bushes that Pcr2 dug, that Lugnut sent me back in May of 2020, that I've been able to keep going in pots. I'm going to try growing blueberries in 250 to 330 gallon totes, split in half and filled with composted pine chips.

Keith

Blueberries like fire and do VERY well after being burned in the Spring or Fall.

Wood ashes are very alkaline. I wonder if it is the lack of competition from grasses and other plants, that help the blueberries do well after a fire?

Keith

Honestly, I can't answer that. I think in the right areas they are just a natural Pioneer Species and do well until choked out by other plants and trees. The fire typically kills the competition, and the Blueberries don't need to compete for sun or moisture.