You know its nearly winter when.....

[sue-the-recycler]

....the first of the seed catalogues arrive in the post. I usually save the joy of looking through them for long winter nights infront of the fire but seeing as today feels like winter anyway I've had a scan. I fancy the idea of trying cranberries - similar to Hilary's post about goji berries I wondered whether anyone has experience of them - DT Brown reckon they are easy and productive - any comments?

[Jenny Green]

I have a cranberry which has taken a couple of years to fruit. It's an interesting shrub as it doesn't grow up at all. It just kind of trails, so I have it in a deep pot and it trails down the sides. It seems even thirstier than blueberries, but providing it's in ericaceous compost it seems relatively trouble free. Not a huge amount of fruit but my one's quite young. Not sure what I'm going to do with the fruit when it ripens, though, as it's supposed to be inedible raw!

[sue-the-recycler]

Thanks for the tip re growing in a pot. I have to admit they are a bit 'sharp' raw but cranberry and orange american style muffins are one of my favourite winter breakfasts - have also made a fabby orange and cranberry sauce for lamb with it, made a change from the mint. Cranberries are v.expensive even in season and I'm making an effort to grow things we really like but are dear to buy.

[strawberry tart]

as above, D.T.Browns arrived today, but also on my travels today newly refurbished pub with "book now for christmas lunches!" banner. tempest fugit and all that. S.Tart.

[hilary]

Hi,
I planted a cranberry last year at the base of one blueberry in a wooden half barrel and it has grown well and produced a few berries but the birds had them before I worked out how to net them! I intend to buy a couple more for the other barrels since they look nice and are trouble free apart from needing lots of water!
I use cranberries at Christmas in sausage meat stuffing and Delia has a good receipe for cranberry and onion comfit which is delicious with cold meats, cheese etc.
Good luck
Hilary

[Tigger]

Piglet grows cranberries - have a look at his blog for more info.