Planting Instructions: Cranberries can be planted in the fall through October and early November or in the spring between April 15th to May 31st. Water the cranberry plants like you would other garden plants. It is a common myth that cranberries need to be in very saturated conditions. Peat moss does need to be moist to the touch, but not saturated. Best grown in damp, acidic (pH 4.0-5.2), organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Plant 2' apart. Self-pollinating. If you want a large plot, then follow the instructions below. If you want a specimen plant in a single location, give each plant about a 2 foot by 2-foot spacing and still follow the directions for prepping the soil. Either way, you will be able to get a plant to spread into the area you want to have it grow.
Sandy Soils - If your soil is already sandy remove topsoil down 8 inches, add a 6 mil plastic liner, poke plenty of holes in the plastic, and add 4 bales (3.8 cu.ft) of peat moss for every 50 square feet. Mix in bone meal (1/2 lb), rock phosphate (1 lb) and blood-meal (1 lb) for every 50 sq. ft. Wet peat moss with a garden hose, or wait until natural rain moistens the peat. Wetting the peat moss will be hard. Be patient and add water in a mist, slowly. Mix the peat often to help absorb water.
Clay or Silt Soils - If your soil is clay or silty, dig out a garden area 8 inches deep, directly add the peat without the plastic liner. Follow directions as above for adding peatmoss, fertilizer and water. Space one year plugs 1 ft x 1 ft, or closer, with root ball two inches below surface. Four inch pots can be spaced 2 ft by 2 ft, and six inch pots 3 ft x 3 ft.
Be sure to protect your plants in during frost and winter seasons. You can achive this by mulching the plants with pine needles or leaves in late November (this will protect against the drying effect that winter brings).
Pests or Diseases: Cranberries are typically subject to chlorosis problems if soil pH is too high.
