Pilgrim's Cranberry - 8E150-

The cranberry is widespread in the wild in a vast area of ​​eastern North  America where  it colonizes  large areas on the sandy coasts and especially  in the    peat bogs  and on marshy lands. In particular, this blueberry is present in  Massachussets and further south  along the entire coastal strip up to the Cape Cod peninsula and on the island of Nantuchet  where there are immense expanses of these blueberries that stand out splendidly   in autumn when the berries take on colour, constituting a real eye-catcher; and this vision is further accentuated by the fact that at the same time in the woods the leaves of the maples and many other trees take on the unmistakable autumnal red color. The Characteristics

The 'cranberry' is a small evergreen shrub with dense vegetation and very slender branches with very small leaves that persist in winter when they take on a reddish color. Flowering occurs in late spring and the flowers are very large, white-pink in color, with a characteristic crane's beak shape. The berries take on color in autumn, between September and October; they are ovoid, large like a small cherry, but without class="Apple-converted-space">  stone, bright red in colour, with juicy pulp  and  of a very pleasant and aromatic flavour. The fruiting is very abundant  and the overall effect is surprising due to the beautiful contrast  of the  very large fruits in comparison to the very small leaves and at that moment  of  a beautiful intense green. If they are not picked and If they are not preyed upon by birds, these berries persist on the plants for a long time, even throughout the winter, when the color of the vegetation becomes reddish-green. Each bush produces an average of 250-300 grams of fruit.

Cultivation

This blueberry is extremely resistant to cold and very rustic; it resists low temperatures very well and is therefore particularly suitable for cultivation in our northern regions and more generally in mountainous areas subject to very harsh winters. It only does well in loose soils, very rich in humus, rather humid and decidedly acidic; the ideal position is in partial shade, but in optimal climate and soil conditions. It also thrives very well in sunny spots. Young plants of this blueberry grown in pots can be found in specialized nurseries and even in better-stocked garden centers, making planting extremely easy. Planting can be done in late summer or from March to May, using 6-8 seedlings per square meter. This blueberry is a typical ground cover plant with prostrate vegetation and with twigs that root well when they come into contact with the soil; therefore it is advisable to carefully prepare the flowerbeds by working it over the entire surface intended for this crop. At least when the nature of the pre-existing soil is not already ideal. it is advisable to remove 15-20 cm of soil and replace it with a specially prepared soil. If available, you can use a marsh or peat soil which can be improved appropriately, but perhaps it is more convenient to prepare a special compost by mixing some peat and some peat. class="Apple-converted-space">  minute with finely chopped bark, with   mulch  of  pine needles or even  sawdust   adding well-rotted organic fertilizer or  worm castings. Once the planting is complete, it is advisable to cover the entire soil with bark mulch to ensure regular moisture retention and to prevent the growth of weeds. This blueberry has a great decorative effect  and is very suitable for  covering the ground  especially in areas suited to this  crop; it is the ideal plant for revegetating slopes, for the undergrowth and for sub-culture of azaleas and rhododendrons, but it also does well in pots or boxes on terraces, in this case  only for clearly shaded positions. In large and very extensive American crops, the harvesting of  berries is carried out in a very particular   way  operating with special machines that detach the fruit after having appropriately flooded the fields; It follows that cranberries, being light, float and are thus easily directed to the collection points by means of special dams. Its Use

Cranberry berries are harvested only when they are fully ripe, between September and October or even later, only when they are fully ripe, well-flavored and rich in nutrients. Primitive peoples already knew this. the beneficial nutritional and healing effects  of these berries  which they used in various ways, raw or  associated with maple syrup or together with game meat. Already in those times, cranberries  were used for many purposes: as a food or flavoring plant, to treat wounds or infections, as an auspicious plant. Recently this cranberry has been increasingly rediscovered and valued by   gourmets,   cooks and   pastry chefs as a food plant and beneficial for the body. The berries are eaten raw or dried; they are used to prepare juices or drinks, cakes and ice creams, jams, preserves and delicious sauces and even to flavour a special wine. They can be kept fresh in the refrigerator or dried; the flavour of these dried blueberries is exquisite and reminiscent of raisins. Due to their very pleasant acidulous-aromatic flavour, they are the ideal side dish for meats, especially for roasted ones. Cranberries are believed to have very positive effects in treating urinary tract disorders and kidney inflammation. Due to their significant vitamin C content and antioxidants, cranberries are very effective in strengthening the immune system and neutralizing free radicals.