One of the most popular berries in central Russia is a tasty and healthy cranberry. Where does this miracle of nature grow, thanks to which you can strengthen immunity and defeat colds? This question is asked by many novice collectors. Let's talk a little more about where to look for this berry, how to use it and with what it should be stored.
Why collect when you can buy?
The question of where cranberries are harvested worries many. It is quite simple to buy berry in a store or on the market, however in this case no one can guarantee you its quality, lack of nitrates, chemicals and other unhealthy components in the composition. To exclude such risk factors, it is recommended to collect sour fruits on their own, in wildlife, in regions and areas with good environmental conditions.
If you don’t have such an opportunity, don’t worry, make purchases in verified places. As for the shelf life, the berry has a maximum of its useful properties and is considered suitable for use for twelve months.
Why is cranberry so popular?
Before proceeding to determine the location of the distribution of the shrub, let's talk about what are its useful properties. Cranberries - a product exclusively dietary, in 100 grams of only 26 calories and a complete lack of fat. Its main advantage is the abundance of vitamin C, the basis for the fight against viruses and bacteria in colds. In addition, the berry perfectly strengthens the nervous system, can help you deal with stress and frustration, improve mood. Its advantages also include:
- Prevention of vascular thrombosis.
- Strengthening memory and improving brain activity.
- Decrease in body temperature.
- General rejuvenation of the body.
Collection rules
An ordinary cranberry will help you maintain immunity and improve your health. Where does this berry grow and when should it be picked? For starters, we will answer the second of the voiced questions. So, there are three main options for collecting fruit:
- In September (and sometimes the end of August). For this period of time, the characters are very hard and very acidic, not yet fully ripened berries, characterized by a light color. Eating them immediately is not recommended. It is mandatory to provide additional storage for ripening.
- From mid-October until the first night frosts. Collecting cranberries at this time is most successful, it is very useful, fully ripened and has a sweeter taste notes, in addition, it is perfectly stored in its original form.
- Berries begin to look back in March, when snow lies on the ground. Many experts believe that this decision is fundamentally wrong, since the fruits during the winter become softer, lose their natural bitterness and are much worse stored.
Distribution area in our country
Where does cranberry grow in Russia? In full measure, these neat red berries can be called marsh, because a useful shrub should be sought precisely in moist, water-covered areas of the forest. Here in the kingdom of moss from early autumn to the height of spring, you can pick up small medicinal berries. They are found in the north of the country, in Siberia, the middle lane (from Moscow to St. Petersburg and to the south), as well as in the Far East.
Different varieties of cranberries
In total, it is customary to distinguish three main varieties of such berries as cranberries in the world. Where does the small bushes grow? For the most part, it is distributed in the territory of our country, in its northern part, where rather difficult and harsh climatic conditions reign. So, a similar variety can be found near the Arctic Circle, in the tundra and forest-tundra, in a word, in the kingdom of cold.
Where is a lot of cranberries? Of course, in the middle lane of our country. In any shady and humid area you can find small, neat shrubs of this unpretentious plant. It should be noted that the beak does not occur in the southern latitudes, where heat and sunlight reign all year round. So, the plant can not be found in the Caucasus, near the Black Sea or the Volga. Among other things, shrubs of this variety are also found on the North American continent, partly in the United States and throughout Canada.
Large-fruited berry is mostly present in Asian countries and the United States of America. It is such a variety that is most often amenable to cultivation.
Growth conditions
So, where is the most common cranberry? Where does this unique shrub grow? The range of its distribution is quite wide, various varieties are found throughout the Russian Federation, America, Japan, China and several other countries.
Cranberry growth requires a marshland and specific soil (for example, such as in the tundra or forest-tundra). At the same time, the shrub is notable for its unpretentiousness, it easily tolerates a lack of light, an excess or a minimum of moisture, but for normal fruiting it needs at least a temporary shadow. What should be a swamp where cranberries are found in abundance? As a rule, it has such characteristics as:
- Fertile soil.
- The abundance of water.
How to cultivate a shrub?
Where does cranberry grow in Ukraine? This question is also very popular, because most of this country is located in a zone of very warm and dry climate. However, it must be remembered that in the northern part of the state there is still a marshland where it is quite possible to try your luck and collect these useful berries.
If cranberries do not grow in your area, do not despair. Try to cultivate an unpretentious shrub in your garden, it is likely that such an initiative can succeed. So where do you start? First of all, it is necessary to prepare the soil, with its poor structure (clay), the introduction of natural fertilizers, for example, manure, is mandatory.
Planting of seedlings takes place in the spring, after the snow melts. For common cranberries, the following pattern must be observed: 5 centimeters - the depth when instilled into the ground and 10 centimeters - the distance between individual shrubs. The first summer, extremely abundant watering is required, the soil should always be wet (if necessary, create an artificial shade or cover the ground with moss). Be prepared that the first crop will be harvested no earlier than the third year after planting.
Now you know where cranberries grow in Russia, as well as beyond. When planning to visit a shady swamp in search of healthy berries, be sure to read the rules for their collection and further storage. In addition, it will not be amiss to learn about the purpose for which sour fruits are used.