Crops › Cranberry
How to grow Cranberry
in the US
Sow March to October, plant out November, harvest May to September. About 730 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Cranberries are a proper rewarding challenge, you know. They're not the easiest to get going on the plot, but once established, they'll give you cracking fruit for years. It's a long game, mind, but well worth the effort for those tart, tasty berries.
Sowing
Cranberries are a bit of a commitment, you know. They're hard work, proper long-term stuff, taking about two years from seed to harvest. So, to be honest, most folks don't start them from seed. If you do fancy a challenge, sow seeds indoors in April or May, or according to your USDA zone's specific months. Just scatter them thinly on the surface of a seed tray filled with an acidic seed compost, don't cover them. They like it cool, around 50-60°F (10-15°C) to get going. Keep the soil damp, but not soggy. It can take a good while for them to sprout, so be patient.
Growing on
Once they've got a few proper leaves, you can carefully prick out the seedlings. Give them their own small pots, still with that acidic compost. Keep them on a windowsill or in a cold frame. Cranberries like space, so when they're ready to go into their permanent spot, allow about 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) between plants. They're not tender as such, but they need a good long season, so get them out once the risk of severe frost is gone for your zone.
Looking after it
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. They love water, these plants. Mulch with pine needles or bark chips to keep the soil acidic and hold in moisture. They don't need a lot of feeding, but a slow-release, acid-loving fertilizer can help them along. No need for pinching out, just let them spread out nicely.
What goes wrong
Aphids can be a bother, but a good spray of soapy water usually sorts them out. Slugs are always on the lookout for a tasty snack, mind. Keep an eye out for them, especially when plants are young. A bit of slug pellets, or going out with a torch on a damp evening, works a treat. Honestly, cranberries are fairly tough once they get established.
Harvest
Your cranberries will be ready when they're a proper deep red color. Pick them by hand, careful not to damage the plant. They usually come good in September, October, or November, depending on your zone and when you planted them. They store cracking well in a cool, dry place, or you can refrigerate them for longer. Great for jams, sauces, or freezing for later.
If you're going for cranberries, remember they absolutely need that acidic soil. I always mix in loads of pine needles and peat-free ericaceous compost into the bed before I even think about planting.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Stevens Stevens is a good, dependable cranberry that always does well. If you're after a steady crop year after year, this one's a solid choice. | No club votes yet |
| Ben Lear Ben Lear is another robust choice, known for its consistent performance. It's a great all-rounder for most backyard growers. | No club votes yet |
| Pilgrim Pilgrim cranberries are proper reliable, producing a good, steady harvest. They're a cracking option if you want a dependable supply. | No club votes yet |
| Howes Howes is a classic, really stands the test of time and gives a consistent crop. A good one to pick if you're looking for a tried-and-true variety. | No club votes yet |
| Early Black This Early Black variety, like its name suggests, gives you berries a bit sooner than others. Ideal if you're keen to get your first harvest a touch earlier in the season. | No club votes yet |
| Franklin Franklin is a sturdy cranberry variety, always giving a good account of itself. You can count on it for a decent crop with minimal fuss. | No club votes yet |
| McFarlin McFarlin is a really strong performer, known for its robust growth and solid yields. It's a grand choice for a long-lasting patch. | No club votes yet |
| Bergman Bergman is a cracking reliable cranberry, always giving you a good show on the plot. It's a solid choice for a dependable harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Crimson Queen Crimson Queen is a really dependable variety, living up to its regal name with good yields. It's a lovely choice for a vibrant crop. | No club votes yet |
| Demoranville Demoranville is another one of those trusty cranberries that you can rely on. It's a steady grower, giving you a consistent harvest. | No club votes yet |
| HyRed HyRed is a dependable choice, known for its good color and steady yields. It's a solid performer for any backyard cranberry patch. | No club votes yet |
| Mullica Queen Mullica Queen is a strong, reliable cranberry, giving a really good account of itself year after year. It's a cracking option for a consistent supply. | No club votes yet |
| Scarlet Knight Scarlet Knight is a reliable variety, bringing a good crop of berries with a lovely deep color. It's a solid choice for dependable yields. | No club votes yet |
| Stumpfield Stumpfield is a hardy and reliable cranberry, known for its steady growth and consistent output. It's a good, tough choice for your patch. | No club votes yet |
| Centennial Centennial is a dependable cranberry that always does its job well on the plot. It's a great option if you're after a consistent and reliable harvest. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Cranberry seeds
Partner retailers. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more.
Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | July to August |
| Zone 4 | April to September | June to August |
| Zone 5 | March to September | June to September |
| Zone 6 | March to October | May to September |
| Zone 7 | March to October | May to September |
| Zone 8 | February to November | May to October |
| Zone 9 | February to November | April to October |
| Zone 10 | September to March | April to November |
Cook the harvest
A whole wheel of creamy Brie is topped with tangy cranberry sauce and wrapped in golden puff pastry, then baked until the cheese is molten and the pastry is shatteringly crisp. This show-stopping appetiser takes 30 minutes, looks impossibly impressive, and disappears within minutes of hitting the table. The cranberry cuts through the richness of the Brie perfectly.
40 min · easyA silky, jewel-red cranberry curd made in the style of lemon curd — butter, eggs, and sugar whisked together with a concentrated cranberry puree into a glossy, spreadable tart-sweet preserve. It is stunning on toast, scones, or waffles, and makes an exceptional filling for tarts, layer cakes, or thumbprint cookies. The color alone makes it one of the most beautiful preserves you can put in a jar.
35 min · mediumA showstopping seasonal cake where fresh cranberries bubble under brown sugar and butter, then get flipped to become a glossy, jewel-bright topping on a tender vanilla butter cake. The tartness of the cranberries cuts through the rich, caramel-sweet base perfectly. It looks far more impressive than the effort required and makes the entire kitchen smell incredible.
65 min · mediumSoft, chewy cookies loaded with dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips — a pairing that plays the cranberry's tartness against the sweetness of the chocolate in exactly the right way. The buttery dough comes together quickly and bakes to golden edges with a soft, pull-apart center. These are the cookies that vanish first from any holiday cookie tray.
27 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: thyme, chives, tansy, white clover, borage
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cranberry in the US?
Sow Cranberry from March to October in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out November, after the last frost.
How long does Cranberry take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest May to September.
Which Cranberry varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Stevens, Ben Lear, Pilgrim, Howes and more.
Track your Cranberry from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.