Knowing when are pears ready to pick is the secret to enjoying their perfect flavor and texture. Unlike many fruits, pears ripen best off the tree, making the timing of your harvest absolutely critical.
If you pick them to late, they can turn mushy and bland right on the branch. Pick them to early, and they might never develop that sweet, juicy quality we all love. This guide will walk you through the simple signs to look for, so you can harvest your pears at the ideal moment.
When Are Pears Ready To Pick
This is the core question for every pear grower. The answer combines a few easy checks you can do in your orchard or backyard. Pears have a very narrow window for perfect picking, so using these methods together gives you the best results.
The Color Change Test
Look for a subtle shift in the pear’s base skin color. This is one of the most reliable visual indicators.
- Green Varieties (like Bartlett): The skin will lighten from a dark, grassy green to a lighter, slightly yellowish-green. The fruit may also appear more dull than glossy.
- Red Varieties (like Red Bartlett): The red blush will deepen and become more pronounced.
- Brown Varieties (like Bosc): The russet (brown) coloring will become a warmer, golden tan.
Remember, the change is often subtle. Compare a fruit in the sun to one in the shade to see the difference more clearly.
The Lenticel Check
Lenticels are the small, speckly pores on the pear’s skin. As the fruit matures, these lenticels often become more noticeable and may change color slightly on some varieties, turning from white to a light brown. This is a good secondary clue to note.
Firmness and the Stem Test
This is a hands-on check. Gently cup a pear in your hand and tilt it horizontally. Apply a slight upward twist. If the stem separates cleanly from the spur (the small, woody bump on the branch) with little effort, the pear is mature and ready to pick. If you have to tug hard, it needs more time.
Do not pull straight down, as this can damage the spur. The fruit should still feel very firm at this stage—if it feels soft at all, it is overripe.
What About the “Squeeze Test”?
Avoid squeezing the pear’s body to check for softness at harvest time. This can bruise the fruit and lead to spoilage. The firmness test is all about the stem’s attachment, not the flesh of the pear itself.
Seed Color (The Final Check)
If your really unsure, you can sacrifice one pear as a test. Cut it open horizontally and look at the seeds. Immature pears have white or pale seeds. A mature, ready-to-pick pear will have seeds that are mostly dark brown. This is a definitive sign, but it does cost you one fruit.
Seasonal Timing is a Guideline, Not a Rule
Knowing your variety’s typical harvest window is helpful, but weather changes everything. A cool, cloudy summer will delay ripening. A hot, sunny one can accelerate it. Use the calendar as a starting point, but always rely on the physical signs listed above.
- Early Season (Late Summer): Bartlett, Starkrimson
- Mid Season (Early Fall): Anjou, Bosc, Comice
- Late Season (Mid to Late Fall): Winter Nellis, Seckel
The Step-by-Step Harvest Process
Once you’ve identified that your pears are ready, follow these steps for a sucessful harvest.
1. Gather Your Tools
- A soft-sided basket or bucket lined with cloth.
- A pair of sharp pruning shears (optional, but helpful for stubborn stems).
- Gardening gloves to protect your hands.
2. Harvest on the Right Day
Choose a dry day. Picking fruit when it’s wet from rain or dew can encourage mold during storage. Try to harvest in the cool of the morning once any dew has dried.
3. Handle with Extreme Care
Pears bruise incredibly easily. Always handle them like eggs. Never drop them into a container. Place them gently. Keep your harvested pears out of direct sunlight and get them into a cool place as soon as possible after picking.
4. The Picking Motion
- Lift the pear up and twist it gently.
- If it doesn’t release with a easy twist, use your pruners to snip the stem about a half-inch above the fruit.
- Leave the stem intact on the pear if you can; it helps prevent entry points for rot.
From Harvest to Perfection: The Ripening Process
This is the part that surprises many new gardeners. Your rock-hard, just-picked pears are not ready to eat. They need a period of cold storage and then indoor ripening.
Chilling Time (Curing)
Most pear varieties require a period of cold temperature to trigger proper ripening. This mimics the onset of fall.
- Place your firm, harvested pears in a perforated plastic bag or a loose paper bag.
- Put them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
- Leave them there for 3 to 7 days, depending on the variety. Winter pears may need several weeks of chilling.
Indoor Ripening
After the chilling period, take the pears out and let them ripen at room temperature (around 65-70°F is ideal).
- To speed up ripening, place them in a closed paper bag. The ethylene gas they produce will be trapped, accelerating the process.
- Adding a banana or apple to the bag will release even more ethylene and speed things up further.
- Check them daily. They are ready to eat when they yield slightly to gentle pressure near the stem end.
The whole process from tree to table can take anywhere from a week to over a month, so patience is key. Once ripe, eat them immediately or move them back to the fridge to slow things down for a few more days.
Common Problems and Solutions
Pears Falling Prematurely
If a lot of pears are dropping before they seem mature, it can be due to stress. Common causes include drought, extreme heat, pest damage, or a natural thinning process called “June drop” (which can happen in summer). Ensure consistent watering during dry spells.
Pears Staying Hard Forever
If your pears never soften, they were likely picked far to early and missed their maturity window. They may also have not gotten enough chilling time. Next year, use the stem and color tests more carefully.
Pears Turning Brown or Mushy Inside
This is often a sign of internal bruising from rough handling or a fall, or it could be a disease like core rot. Ensure gentle harvest and check your storage area for proper humidity—too much moisture can promote fungal growth.
Storing Your Perfectly Ripe Pears
For short-term storage (a few days), keep ripe pears in the refrigerator. For long-term storage of late-season varieties, you can keep them in a cold, dark place like a root cellar or a spare fridge set just above freezing. Wrap each pear in newspaper and check them regularly for ripeness.
Pears also freeze well for use in cooking. Simply peel, core, slice, and treat with an anti-browning solution before freezing on a tray and transferring to bags.
FAQ: Your Pear Picking Questions Answered
Can you leave pears on the tree to ripen?
No, it is not recommended. Pears left to ripen on the tree often develop a gritty texture and can become mushy or rotten at the core before the outside seems soft. They are one of the few fruits that must be picked firm.
How long after picking do pears ripen?
After the necessary chilling period, pears typically take 3 to 10 days to ripen at room temperature. The exact time depends on the variety and the temperature of your home.
What if I pick pears too early?
Unfortunately, pears picked before they are mature will not ripen properly. They will remain hard, woody, and lack sweetness. They may also shrivel. It’s better to err on the side of slightly late than too early.
Do all pears change color when ripe?
Most do, but the change is more obvious in some varieties than others. A green Anjou, for example, remains mostly green even when ripe. Always use multiple tests—stem separation and seed color are crucial for less-colorful varieties.
Why are my pears ripe but not sweet?
This usually traces back to harvesting before full maturity or a lack of sunlight during the growing season. Pears need plenty of sun to develop their sugars. Ensure your tree is pruned for good air circulation and light penetration.
Mastering the art of pear harvest takes a season or two of practice. By focusing on the stem test, the subtle color shift, and providing the right post-harvest chill, you’ll be rewarded with the perfect, buttery-sweet fruit that makes growing your own so worthwhile. Trust the signs, handle your fruit gently, and you’ll enjoy the best pears of your life.