How to prune cranberry 'stevens'

Early spring, after frost risk has passed, before growth flush. Remove dead or excessively tangled runners with scissors or hand shears. For a dense, aging bed, shear lightly (removing the top one-quarter of growth) and apply a thin layer of coarse sand to stimulate upright formation and improved air circulation.

Rarely; light renovation every 5–8 years. Cranberry 'Stevens' is a vigorous, high-yielding commercial cultivar of Vaccinium macrocarpon. Home gardeners need very little pruning — remove winter-damaged or dead runners in early spring. If the bed becomes too dense and yield declines after many years, a light shearing followed by a sand top-dressing encourages productive new uprights. Routine annual pruning is neither necessary nor recommended.

Remove dead or excessively tangled runners with scissors or hand shears. For a dense, aging bed, shear lightly (removing the top one-quarter of growth) and apply a thin layer of coarse sand to stimulate upright formation and improved air circulation.