Pears are ready to harvest before they’re ripe. Learn when to harvest pears and how to ripen them off the tree.
While the quote above may be an exaggeration, it does serve to highlight the fact that many growers struggle to figure out the proper ripening and eating times for pears. In this post, we will teach you everything you need to know for picking, ripening, and enjoying homegrown pears.
Deciding when to harvest pears can be tricky. Unlike many fruits that show obvious signs of ripeness on the tree, pears need to be picked before they are ripe. Picking pears at the right time is crucial for getting the best flavor and texture. Follow this guide to identify when your pears are ready for harvesting.
The Nature of Pears
Pears are unique in that they do not ripen while still on the tree The ripening process only begins after they are picked. This is why testing ripeness by feel, as you would with other fruits, does not work well for pears If left on the tree too long, pears will become overripe, mealy and poor in flavor.
European pear varieties must be harvested before they are ripe. Asian pears on the other hand can be left on the tree until ripe. This article focuses on determining ripeness in European pear varieties.
When to Harvest Pears
For the best flavor and texture, pears should be picked when mature but before they start softening. Ripe pears will be firm and green, yellow or possibly with a red blush depending on variety.
So how do you know precisely when they are ready? Here are the best ways to identify mature pears ready for harvesting:
The Tilt Test
This is the most reliable way to assess ripeness. Gently lift a pear in the palm of your hand and tilt it horizontally. If the pear easily separates from the branch it is ready for picking. If it resists separation leave it on the tree a little longer.
Color
Pear color alone does not indicate ripeness since color varies greatly by variety. However, if the pear has changed from green to yellow or developed a red blush, it is likely mature.
Days After Full Bloom
As a general guide, start checking your pears for harvest approximately 120-150 days after full bloom. The exact number of days depends on the variety.
Sample Tasting
Pick a couple sample pears and try them. If they are firm but sweet, the rest are likely ready for harvest.
Seed Color
When pears are cut open, mature fruit will have brown seeds. If the seeds are still white or green, the pears need more time on the tree.
Ease of Picking
A pear that separates easily from the tree when lifted and tilted is ready for harvest. If the stem resists separation, it needs more time.
When to Pick Specific Pear Varieties
The following are general guidelines for when to harvest some popular pear varieties:
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Bartlett pears: Harvest mid to late August, about 120-150 days after full bloom.
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Bosc pears: Pick late August into September, around 150 days after bloom.
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D’Anjou pears: Harvest September into October, about 150-180 days after flowering.
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Comice pears: Pick mid September, around 150 days after bloom.
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Asian pears: Start checking ripeness in late July or August. Harvest when ripe.
The exact harvest windows for individual varieties depend on your climate and tree conditions. Keep an eye on your pears as they near maturity and use the signs above to determine best picking times.
How to Harvest Pears
When your pears pass the tilt test and other signs point to mature fruit, it is time to start harvesting. Follow these steps for harvesting pears:
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Use pruners or garden shears on a 45 degree angle just above the stem. Avoid yanking the fruit off the tree.
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Handle the delicate fruits gently to avoid bruising.
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Use care not to damage branches and spurs that will produce next year’s crop.
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Pick all mature fruit during each harvesting session, leaving any underripe pears for a later pick.
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Pears should be dry when picked. Pick in early morning after dew dries.
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Place harvested pears gently into containers. Don’t pile too high.
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Store pears in cool conditions, ideally around 60-65°F.
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Check picked pears daily and remove any showing signs of rot.
Ripening Pears Off the Tree
Since pears will not ripen on the tree, they need to be ripened after picking. Here are some tips:
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Let pears ripen at room temperature 65-75°F until the neck yields to gentle pressure.
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Ripening takes 5-7 days on average. Enclose pears in a paper bag to speed it up.
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Add an apple or banana to the bag to increase ethylene and quicken ripening. Monitor closely if using this method.
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Once ripe, pears can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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For best flavor, allow chilled pears to come to room temperature before eating.
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Overripe pears should be used for cooking, canning or preserving rather than eaten raw.
Storing Unripe Pears
If you end up harvesting some under-ripe pears, you can hold off on ripening them using these storage methods:
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Store firm unripe pears at 30-32°F with 90-95% humidity.
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Desired storage time depends on variety, but can range from 2 weeks to 4 months.
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Bartlett pears store for 2-3 weeks max. Asian pears may store 4 months.
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Check periodically and remove any pears starting to soften or spoil.
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Prior to ripening, move pears to room temperature storage at 65-75° for a few days.
Proper identification of maturity and correct harvesting results in flavorful pears that will ripen well off the tree. Use the signs, guides and tips above to know just when to pick your pears for maximum enjoyment. With the right care, you will be rewarded with delicious, juicy pears year after year.
The Nature of Pears
Did you know pears dont ripen on the tree? While most types of fruit reach their peak on the branch or vine, pears need to be picked before ripening. If left on the tree, pears ripen from the inside out and, by the time they seem to be at the ripe stage, they are beyond it — usually mushy with a mealy texture beneath the skin.
To avoid such results, you must pick pears when they are mature but not yet fully ripened. Figuring out the answer to “when are pears ripe?” can be difficult. When in season, a mature pear will still be firm to the touch, so feel won’t be a strong indicator. You can’t really go by sight either; a mature pear could be a variation of colors, like green, yellow, or even blush, depending on the variety.
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 easily come away from the branch at this angle (as opposed to its natural vertical hanging position). If it is not yet ready for picking, it will hold on to the branch.
Once harvested, most pears will require about a week to ripen at room temperature (about 65-72ºF). If you store the fruit in a paper bag, you can speed up this process so that it will ripen in just a few days. You may also choose to store your harvested pears with an apple or banana — fruits that are more prone to releasing ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. (Beware, ethylene gas may cause your pears to break down faster than anticipated, starting from the inside out, so it may be better to be patient and let the pears ripen on their own at room temperature.)
Pear season is coming! In a typical year, it starts in August for those of us in zones 5 and 6. If you are growing your own, make sure you are prepared!
The information above applies to European Pears. Asian Pears tend to ripen just fine on the tree.
Easy Trick to Know When to Pick Pears
FAQ
How do you know if pears are ready to be picked?
The best way to tell if a pear is ripe is to push on the neck of your pear by applying gentle pressure to the neck, or stem end, of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, then it’s ripe and ready to eat!
Will pears ripen if picked too soon?
Pears picked too early will wither rather than ripen; pears left to ripen on the tree break down and turn brown and soft at the core.
What month are pears ready to pick in the USA?
Pears are not the earliest ripening type of fruit trees and most are ripe between July and October. Here are a few varieties for each part of the growing season for you to choose from or to extend your harvest season so you can enjoy Pears all summer and into fall or even well into the winter months!