One of summer’s finest fruits is the pear. These pomes are one of the few fruits that are best when picked under-ripe. Pear tree harvest times will vary according to the variety. The early varieties are ready up to a month sooner than late-blooming types. It is better to pick them when they are still firm than to wait for the tree to ripen them. When are pears ready to eat? They’re ready after some time on the counter, unless you like fruit that is soft and mealy.
As a pear lover nothing beats the sweet juicy flavor of a garden-fresh pear. But knowing when to harvest pears at just the right time can be tricky. Pears don’t ripen well on the tree like other fruits. You need to pick them before they are fully ripe, then allow them to finish ripening after picking. This article will explain what signs to look for to determine when pears are ready for harvesting.
Understanding Pear Ripening
Pears are unique in that they don’t ripen fully on the tree. If left on the branch too long, the inside will become mushy and mealy before the outside appears ripe.
To develop the best texture and flavor, pears must be picked mature and green, then allowed to ripen off the tree. Only after picking will they complete the ripening process and become juicy, sweet and deliciously mellow.
So how can you tell when pears have reached maturity and are ready for harvest? Look for these signs:
5 Signs Pears Are Ready to Pick
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Color change – The skin lightens from dark green to pale green or yellowish. Some varieties develop a reddish blush.
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Brown seeds – Cut a small slice and check the seeds. At maturity, they will be dark brown rather than white or green.
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Smooth, waxy skin – Immature pears have rough, pebbly skin. It becomes smooth with a waxy coating at maturity.
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Easily separates – Mature pears detach easily from the tree with an upward twist. Unripe fruit clings tightly.
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Lifts horizontally – Hold the pear horizontally and gently lift upward. Ripe fruit separates cleanly from the stem.
Check a sampling of pears around the tree for these signs of maturity. Harvest time varies with the cultivar, but generally occurs August-October.
Asian pears can be left on the tree until ripe, so apply the squeeze test – lightly press the side. Ripe Asian pears yield slightly but don’t dent.
How to Pick Pears
Use proper harvesting techniques to avoid damaging trees:
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Lift the pear gently upward and twist slightly. Don’t pull straight off.
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Use both hands to avoid tearing off the stem.
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Handle gently to avoid bruising. Place in a basket or bag.
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Pick in cool morning temperatures when pears separate most easily.
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Use shears or scissors on stems that won’t detach. Cut at an angle next to the fruit.
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Clean up fallen fruit promptly to deter pests.
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Store freshly picked pears in cool conditions before ripening.
Ripening & Storing Harvested Pears
Freshly picked pears will ripen best off the tree at 65-75°F:
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Ripen in a paper bag to concentrate ethylene and speed ripening. Don’t use plastic.
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Adding an apple or banana to the bag will increase ethylene.
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Most varieties ripen in 3-5 days on the counter, up to 7-10 days in the fridge.
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Ripe when flesh near stem yields to gentle pressure.
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Once ripe, store pears in the fridge for 5-7 days maximum.
Enjoy pear perfection! Follow these simple steps for harvesting pears at just the right maturity and discover the delight of a tree-ripened, garden-fresh pear.
A Guide to Common Pear Varieties and Their Harvest Times
With over 3000 varieties of pears grown worldwide, it can get confusing sorting out which types grow best in your climate. Here’s a quick guide to some top pear varieties and when they are ready for picking.
European Pears
Bartlett – Most popular variety. Harvest mid to late August. Sweet and juicy with classic pear flavor.
Bosc – Ready late August-early September. Russeted brown skin, aromatic white flesh. Good keeper.
Comice – October harvest. Sweet, creamy, aromatic. Greenish-yellow skin with red blush.
Anjou – October-November harvest. Firm, smooth flesh. Holds shape when cooked. Green to yellowish skin.
Seckel – Late August-early September. Miniature pears with spicy flavor. Reddish brown over green skin.
Asian Pears
Shinseiki – Mid to late August harvest. Crisp, sweet, juicy white flesh. Yellow skin often with green blush.
Hosui – August-September season. Sweet, juicy. Brown russeted skin. Cold hardy.
20th Century – September picking. Sweet, crisp, flavorful. Smooth yellow skin sometimes blushed red.
Chojuro – Mid August. Brown russeted skin. Crisp, mildly sweet flavor.
Korean Giant – Late September harvest. Very large fruit. Crisp and sweet. Russet brown skin.
How Climate Impacts Harvest Timing
Harvest periods can vary slightly based on your region’s growing season and weather patterns in a given year.
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Count about 100-150 days from full bloom to maturity.
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Hot summer weather accelerates ripening. Cool conditions delay harvest.
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Track cumulative growing degree days to estimate optimum picking times.
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Harvest European pears before hard frost, Asian pears just before or after frost.
Regardless of variety, always check pears on the tree for signs of maturity to know just the right moment for harvesting. With some trial and error, you’ll soon get a feel for identifying ripeness.
Tips for Getting Your Pear Trees to Produce More Fruit
Beyond picking pears at peak maturity, certain care practices can help increase yield from your pear trees:
Select productive varieties – Some pears simply produce heavier crops. Opt for proven performers like Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, and Shinseiki.
Provide full sun – Pears need at least 8 hours of direct sun daily to fruit well. Morning sun is essential.
Prune regularly – Thin crowded branches to open up the canopy and increase light penetration.
Fertilize lightly – Use organic fertilizer for pears sparingly to avoid excess foliage instead of fruit.
Water thoroughly – Give trees a deep watering weekly during growth and fruiting periods.
Thin fruit – Removing some developing pears helps direct energy into the remaining fruit.
Protect from pests – Control pear-damaging insects and diseases that reduce yields.
Pick promptly – Harvest all mature fruit and remove windfalls to discourage pests.
With proper care, your pear trees will establish well and provide a bountiful harvest. Now that you know what to look for when pears are ready to pick, you can enjoy this unique fruit at its flavorful best.
Pear Tree Harvest Time
The optimum time for picking pear fruit will vary dependent on your zone. United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 and 6 harvest around August. Warmer climes can expect mature fruit a bit earlier. You should begin by checking a few fruits to see if they are mature enough. Extremely young pears won’t be developed enough to produce the necessary sugars after leaving the branch. Take a pear gently in your hand and lightly tip it away from the branch. If the fruit comes off easily, it is ready to take. Those that resist should be left on the tree to mature a bit more. This test, which is done by hand, is the best way to tell when to start picking pear fruit because color and texture vary by variety and don’t always show when fruit is ready.
When are Pears Ripe to Eat?
Its always hard to wait for something good but often the waiting just enhances the experience. This is the case with pears. Pears don’t ripen best on the tree. They ripen from the inside out and develop soft interiors with a mushy, grainy texture. Pears should be firm and juicy for the best results eaten out of hand or canned. Habitual canners know how to pick pears and when they are ready for use. Take some tips from experts to prevent your harvest from maturing to mush and maximize your crop. According to professional growers, pears should be allowed to ripen off the tree rather than on the stem. This is because pears will overdevelop on the plant, resulting in soft texture and overly sugared flesh. Pick your pears when their skin is slightly pink but still firm and not quite ripe. They can ripen on the counter or in a paper bag for a week. The delicious flavor will come out in about a week and the flesh approaches its best texture. Because of differences in climate, each fruit will reach its peak maturity at a slightly different time. This means that when you go to pick pears, you will need to look at each pome separately before you pick it.
How To Harvest And Ripen Pears | 4 Signs Your Fruit Is Ready! DON’T Pick Early!
FAQ
When should you harvest pears?
Do pears need to ripen off the tree?
How can you tell if pears are unripe?
How do you know when pears are ready to harvest?
Look for these signs to help you decide when your pears are ready to harvest: Pears that have fallen to the ground are ripening. Handle pears carefully while harvesting and putting them in storage. Pears bruise easily, and bruised fruit does not store well. Store pears in a cool, humid location such as a refrigerator.
When is a pear ready to pick?
When they are ready to pick, it will be dependent upon the variety, location, and weather, but start checking trees in August. The best way to tell if a pear is ready to harvest is by taking the fruit in your hand and tilting it horizontally. The mature fruit will quickly come away from the branch at this angle.
When should you harvest a pear?
So you want to harvest them before they are ripe on the tree. When they are ready to pick, it will be dependent upon the variety, location, and weather, but start checking trees in August. The best way to tell if a pear is ready to harvest is by taking the fruit in your hand and tilting it horizontally.
How do you know if a pear tree is ready to eat?
If the fruit comes off easily, it is ready to take. Those that resist should be left on the tree to mature a bit more. This hand picking test is the best way to decide when to start picking pear fruit since texture and color will vary by variety and are not a good indicator of maturity.