Cranberries Planting Guide
Cranberries are low-growing, vine-like shrubs that produce tart red berries in fall. They grow in acidic, boggy conditions and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.
Vaccinium macrocarpon · Fruit · Ericaceae family · 730–1095 days to maturity
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Where Can You Grow Cranberries?
Cranberries Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Cranberries planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | — | Jun 27 | — |
| Zone 2b | — | — | Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 3a | — | — | Jun 12 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | — | Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Cranberries is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Cranberries benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Cranberries
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch heavily to retain moisture.
🧪 Soil pH
4 – 5.5
Prefers slightly acidic soil. Most garden soils work well.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 7b
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Ericaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Ericaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Cranberries to Grow
Cranberries takes 730–1095 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Cranberries
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Cranberries
Create an acidic, consistently moist bed with peat moss. Cranberries do not need to be flooded to grow; flooding is only used for commercial harvesting. Mulch with sand in early spring.
Saving Cranberries Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Level Up Your Garden
Cranberries by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Cranberries?
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) takes 730 to 1095 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Cranberries grow in?
Cranberries can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 7b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Cranberries need?
Growing Cranberries requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), High — keep soil consistently moist, and soil pH of 4 to 5.5.