Harvesting High bush cranberries?

OJ Rallye · #1 08/30/08, 03:26 PM

Harvesting High bush cranberries?
All red?
Do they get soft and juicy?

ann fr · #2 08/30/08, 05:30 PM

They turn red for a long time before being ripe. Don't pick them til they are softer. Here in Ontario mine have just turned red but won't be ready to pick til mid October or so.

ann fr · #3 08/30/08, 05:32 PM

Sorry I should add if you pick them just after snow flys they will be much sweeter.

ozark mike · #4 08/31/08, 01:03 AM

we never picked any til after the first frost

bowdonkey · #5 08/31/08, 06:03 AM

Wait till after a freeze or two. We use ours for pancake and ice cream syrup. Just don't let the smell while cooking it down gag you. You might want to have the windows open.

OJ Rallye · #6 08/31/08, 08:25 AM

I planted these a few years ago. Last year we had a few berries but they sure didn't last till a frost or snow. I guess we have to cover then with netting to keep the birds from eating them.
When choosing them....my research turned up a thing about them smelling like old socks when you cooked them.

Cheribelle · #7 08/31/08, 10:13 AM

I planted mine for the birds, didn't think you could actually use them, eveything I read said they are really bad until after the frost.