Juicy and succulently sweet Pears are a summer and autumn treat! The mellow sweetness and creamy textures are something we all look forward to each year! It’s as easy as pie to grow your own Pear tree!
Wild Pear trees (Pyrus) were originally grown and bred in both Europe and Asia. Ancient farmers looked for specimens that had larger, sweeter fruit and bred these parent plants over time. Romans were likely working with about 50 Pear species of improved Pears. In 1860, American author T.W. Fields noted there were about 850 known Pears!
Modern Pear trees are hardy, disease-resistant, and produce mouth-watering fruit. Some tolerate cold climates down to USDA zone 4 all the way up to sweltering hardiness zone 11! They bloom in a flourish of fragrant white blossoms and fill out in dark green glossy leaves.
From the tiny Chojuro Pear to the massive 40-foot-tall Oriental Asian Pear, here are some pointers and information to get you started harvesting your very own homegrown goodness, regardless of how much space you can spare!
- Types of Pear Trees
- Pear Seasons
- How To Tell When Pears Are Ripe?
- Enjoying Your Surplus Harvest
- Happy Planting!
Types of Pear Trees
Pears are some of the easiest fruit trees to grow, and there are two main varieties, namely the European and the Asian. Both types require a different harvesting technique, there are also differences in storage, cooking, and usage.
Asian Pears
Asian Pears are round like Apples and are large, crisp, crunchy, and loaded with juice. The Asian Pear is also known as the Apple Pear because of the firm, crisp fruit. Shaped and sized a bit more like an apple, an Asian Pear snaps and crunches when you bite into it.
European Pears
European Pears have that characteristic narrow neck. European Pears are softer fruit with a nuanced flavor. Epicurean European Pears offers delectable taste experiences, too. Seckel Pear produces very sweet, small Pears that are used in canning. Comice and D’Anjou Pears are both staples in high-end food gift packages. They all offer a desirable flavor for fresh eating, baking, canning, and preserving.
Pear Seasons
With the dizzying array of Pear tree varieties available today, it may be hard to choose just one! 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!
Early Season Pears
Known as Summer Pears, the first fruits in the earliest part of the growing season are typically ready in July and August, depending on your climate and growing zone.
- Hosui - Round like an Apple and flavored like one, too! Usually ripening in August
- Pineapple - These hard yellow cooking Pears are usually ready for harvest in early August
- Summercrisp - Blight resistant and very hardy, this Pear is ripe in mid-August
- Southern Bartlett - Great for hot climates and mild winters, so it ripens early
Mid-Season Pears
Straddling the summer and fall months, mid-season Pears are great early fall treats just as the leaves on other deciduous trees begin to show their color.
- Blake's Pride European - Aromatic and sweet, ripening in September
- Flemish Beauty European - Melt-in-your-mouth red Pear. Ripens usually in September
- Luscious - Creamy flesh and great fall color, disease and cold-tolerant September harvest
Late Season Pears
Ending the season and even ripening through cold and occasional frosts, late-season Pears are also known as Winter Pears.
- Korean Giant Asian - Giant round crisp fruit ripens in October in most climates
- Seckel - AKA: Candy or Sugar Pear ripens in September but stores well until February!
- Magness European - Thicker skin to resist pests, but has melting flesh! Ripens late fall
Again, your weather and climate will alter these dates, so staying in contact with your County Extension Office, learning about your region, and talking with other gardeners will help immensely!
How To Tell When Pears Are Ripe?
- Ripening Behavior - Most Pears rarely ripen on the tree and ripen slowly after harvest. Some Summer Pears and Asian Pears are exceptions and do ripen on the tree.
- Ripeness Test - Gently press the neck near the stem. Pears give slightly when they’re ready. Check for the right color, a sweet smell, and whether it easily comes off with a gentle twist.
- Testing For Ripeness Indoors - As harvest time approaches, pick a few slightly early and let them ripen on the counter or in a brown paper bag.
- Visual Clues - Look for color changes in the skin or a rosy or russet blush on the side receiving sun. Not all Pears change color, so know your variety!
- Harvest Timing Tips - Unless they’re tree-ripened types, harvesting too late can cause mealy or grainy flesh.
- European Pear Rule - Pick European Pears when they’re still firm—they should be harvested when mature but not yet ripe.
- Speeding Up Ripening -Ripen Pears on the counter or in a brown paper bag to speed up the process. Add an apple to the bag—its ethylene gas helps Pears ripen faster.
How To Enjoy Your Surplus Harvest
They are excellent for eating out of hand and in salads. But you can also:
- Slice a few crisp Pears onto a grilled cheese.
- Serve up on a charcuterie with a selection of cheeses.
They’re so versatile and pair well with:
- Chocolate and vanilla
- Caramel and maple syrup
- Spices like cinnamon, anise, mint, and ginger
- Savory herbs like thyme and rosemary
- Nuts, pork, and game
- Both red and white wine
Cooking & Baking With Pears
After eating yourself silly on fresh Pears, you can:
- Grill them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a delicious sweet and sour side dish.
- Bake into pies, tarts, and desserts.
- Blend into smoothies.
- Churn into ice cream.
- Make into a sauce, like applesauce.
- Make Pear shortbreads.
- Blend them into pancakes.
Preserving & Storing Pears
Still have more and already loaded up your friends and neighbors?
- Pears can be pureed and prepped for kid-friendly homemade fruit leather!
- Pear jelly and jam
- Spiced Pears
- Canned pear cubes or slices in syrup
- Many other kinds of preserves await you as well
- Freeze or dry slices for tasty snacks during the off-season
Organic Baby Food
Pears also make excellent homemade baby food. How nice to know exactly how your fruit was grown and what sprays were used!
Bushels of Pears Ahead!
Boost food sustainability and access to fresh pesticide-free produce right in your own backyard! Hurry and order your own perfect Pear tree for your own edible landscaping and enjoy a sweet, juicy harvest of these fan-favorite fruits! Available in containers and bareroot shipping from NatureHills.com!
Read in-depth planting, care, and pruning info for Pear Trees in our Garden Blog Here!
Happy Planting!
