When is it time to pick pears?

When is the right time to pick pears?   Pears will ripen according to variety, weather and location.

Pears are ready to pick when they are: 

• firm – but the flesh is very slightly springy.
• just turning yellowish green. If too green they will never get their best flavor.
• just turning the seeds brown.
• ready to come away from the tree with a slight twist & lift. If the fruit does not come off easily, the pears are not ready to pick.  

   

Pears should never be allowed to ripen on the tree because: 

• they become gritty.
• the area around the core turns brown, soft and mushy.

Pears ripen best off the tree.

Jargonelle is an early variety of pear which is ready in early August, Beth is usually picked in late August. 

Gorham & Merton Pride   ripen in early September.  Beurre Hardy & Onward ripen mid-September.  Beurre Superfin, Conference, Durondeau, Fertility Improved,  Seckle, Thompsons & Louise Bonne de Jersey ripen at the end of September.

Williams‘ Bon Chretien are usually picked in September.

Doyenne du Comice, Packham’s Triumph & Josephine de Malines are ripe in mid-October.  The time to pick Concorde & Winter Nelis,  late pears, is the end of October.

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