Pears are absolute powerhouses when it comes to vitamins and nutrients. Plus, let’s be honest—nothing beats that sweet, juicy flavor of a homegrown pear! But to get that perfect taste, timing is everything. If you’re wondering when to grab your picking basket, here’s the lowdown on how to tell when your pears are ready for harvest.
How to Tell When Pears Are Ripe
For that signature aroma, pears need plenty of sunshine and warmth. You generally want to leave them on the tree as long as possible, but there’s a fine line between “perfect” and “mushy.” Here are three easy ways to check if they’re ready:
- The Pressure Test
- The Seed Color
- The Tilt Test
The Pressure Test
You can check for ripeness simply by using your thumb. Give the fruit a gentle press near the stem. If the flesh gives slightly under pressure, it’s time to start harvesting.
The Seed Color
If you’re unsure, sacrifice one pear for the greater good. Pick a fruit and slice it open. If the seeds inside have turned a dark brown, the rest of the tree is likely ready to go.
The Tilt Test
This is my favorite pro tip. Take a pear in your hand and tilt it upward at a 90-degree angle. If the fruit snaps away from the branch cleanly—stem and all—it’s officially harvest-ready.
Harvesting Techniques
Pears are surprisingly delicate and bruise easily, so you’ve got to handle them with care. Always use buckets or baskets, and try not to overfill them. For the low-hanging fruit, just use the tilt method mentioned above—gently lift and snap.
For the pears way up in the canopy, you’ve got two choices: grab a sturdy ladder or invest in a fruit picker tool. You can find these at any garden center; they’re basically a little basket on a long pole. Just a heads-up: don’t try to cram too many pears into the picker at once. If you pack them in, the weight will cause bruising. It’s much safer to empty the basket after every 5 or 6 pears.
The Best Time of Day to Harvest
Believe it or not, the time of day matters! Avoid picking your pears in the middle of a scorching afternoon. When the fruit is heated up by the sun, it doesn’t store nearly as well. Your best bet is to head out in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler. Also, try to avoid harvesting on super windy days—you don’t want a rogue pear falling on your head!
Popular Pear Varieties and Their Harvest Windows
- Williams (Bartlett): Depending on the weather, these are usually ready starting in mid-August. They’re best eaten fresh, so you can pick them as you need them.
- Conference: This tasty variety is ready in early September. They’re great keepers and can stay fresh in storage until late December.
- Butter Pears: Start picking these in early September. You can enjoy these through the end of October.
- Louise Bonne: Harvest starts in early September and usually wraps up by October. This variety is a superstar for canning and preserving .
Quick Tip: Once harvest season hits, you’ll probably see some “drops” (fallen fruit) on the ground. These are a magnet for bees, wasps, and hornets. They’ll often hang out on the ripe fruit still on the tree, too, so keep your eyes peeled and pick carefully to avoid any nasty stings!