Knowing the right time to pick Bartlett pears is the secret to enjoying their classic, buttery sweetness. If you pick them to early, they’ll never develop that wonderful flavor; too late, and you might find mush. This guide will walk you through the simple signs of perfect ripeness, whether you’re harvesting from your own tree or choosing the best fruit at the market.
Unlike many fruits that ripen perfectly on the tree, pears are unique. They must be picked while still firm and then allowed to ripen off the tree. If left to ripen on the branch, the core can become gritty and mushy. Getting the timing right for harvest is your first, and most important, step.
When to Pick Bartlett Pears
So, how do you know it’s time? Look for a combination of visual, tactile, and seasonal clues. Don’t rely on just one sign. Here are the key indicators that your Bartlett pears are ready for picking.
The Color Change: From Green to Yellow
The most reliable visual sign for Bartlett pears is their skin color. A mature, ready-to-pick Bartlett pear will shift from a vivid, dark green to a lighter, slightly yellowish-green. This is often called the “ground color” change. Look at the skin, ignoring any red blush that may be present. The base green hue should look duller, not bright.
Check the fruit in good, natural light. Sometimes the change is subtle. A pear that is still a sharp, glossy green is not ready. Wait until you see that definite lightening.
The Feel Test: Firm but Not Hard
Gently lift the pear and tilt it horizontally. A mature pear will separate easily from the spur (the short twig it’s attached to) with an upward twist. If you have to tug or pull hard, it’s not ready. The stem should detach cleanly.
Next, feel the fruit. A harvest-ready Bartlett will be firm and solid, but not rock-hard. There should be a very slight give near the stem end when you apply gentle pressure with your thumb. If the whole fruit feels soft, it is over-mature.
Seasonal Timing is a Guide
While weather varies each year, Bartlett pears typically reach maturity in late summer. In most temperate regions, this falls between mid-August and early September. This is a helpful benchmark, but always use the color and feel tests as your primary guide. A cool summer can delay ripening, while a heat wave can accelerate it.
Count roughly 120 to 150 days from full bloom. If you noted when your tree flowered, this can give you a good target window to start checking.
What About the Seeds?
Some gardeners check the seed color. You can pick one test pear that seems ready and cut it open. The seeds inside a mature Bartlett pear will have turned from white to a dark brown. This is a confirmatory test, but it’s less practical than checking color and feel on the tree.
A Simple Checklist for Harvest Day
Before you head out with your basket, run through this list:
* The skin color has lightened from dark to light green/yellow-green.
* The pear twists off the tree with little effort.
* The fruit is firm, with a hint of give at the stem.
* It’s late summer (August/September).
* A few sound pears have naturally dropped from the tree (a good secondary sign).
How to Pick Pears Properly
Use the correct technique to avoid damaging the fruit or the tree’s fruit spurs, which will produce next year’s crop.
1. Support the Fruit: Cup the pear gently in your palm.
2. Tilt and Twist: Tilt the pear sideways to a horizontal position and give it a gentle upward twist.
3. Check the Stem: The stem should remain on the fruit. If it snaps off at the spur, that’s fine.
4. Handle with Care: Place the pears carefully into your harvesting container. Do not drop them in, as they bruise very easily.
The Ripening Process Off the Tree
Once picked, your work isn’t quite done. Now you need to ripen them to eating perfection. Place your firm, harvested pears in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. A paper bag on the kitchen counter works very well.
To speed up ripening, add a banana or an apple to the bag. These fruits release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that triggers ripening. Check them daily. They can go from firm to perfectly ripe in just 3 to 5 days.
How to Tell When They’re Ripe for Eating
A ripe Bartlett pear yields to gentle pressure at the neck (the area just below the stem). The color will be a even, warm yellow. The fragrance will also become noticeably sweet and peary. Once they reach this stage, eat them immediately or move them to the refrigerator to slow further ripening for a few days.
Common Problems and Solutions
Picked Too Early
If you think you harvested to early, don’t despair. Pears picked when just slightly mature will often still ripen off the tree, though their flavor and texture might not reach their full potential. Let them sit at room temperature and see what happens. They may surprise you.
Picked Too Late
Fruit that is soft on the tree is overripe. It will be gritty, mushy, and may have an off flavor. It’s best to compost these. To avoid this next year, start checking for the color change a bit earlier in the season.
Bruising Easily
Pears bruise incredibly easy. Always handle them like eggs. Use shallow harvest containers and avoid piling them high. Padding the container with a towel can help prevent damage during transport.
Not Ripening Evenly
If your pears are taking forever to ripen or are doing so unevenly, temperature is likely the culprit. Ripening happens best at room temperature (around 65-75°F). A spot that’s too cold or too hot will disrupt the process. The paper bag method really helps create an ideal microclimate.
Storing Your Harvest
For long-term storage of unripe pears, you can use the refrigerator. Place your firm, freshly picked pears in the crisper drawer. The cold will put them in a state of suspended animation. They can keep like this for several weeks. When you want ripe pears, simply remove a few at a time and let them ripen at room temperature.
Do not store ripe pears in a sealed plastic bag, as this traps moisture and promotes rot. Perfer a perforated bag or an open bowl in the fridge if you need to keep them for a couple days.
FAQ: Your Bartlett Pear Questions Answered
Q: Can you let Bartlett pears ripen on the tree?
A: No, it is not recommended. Pears ripen from the inside out. If left on the tree until soft, the inside often becomes overripe, gritty, and brown before the outside is ready. Picking them firm ensures a smooth, buttery texture.
Q: How long does it take for picked Bartlett pears to ripen?
A: At room temperature, it typically takes 3 to 7 days. Using a paper bag with a banana can shorten this to 3-5 days. Check them daily once you see the color changing.
Q: What’s the best way to store pears after they’re ripe?
A: Once perfectly ripe, eat them promptly. If you need to hold them, place them in the refrigerator. This will slow down the process and give you another 2-4 days to enjoy them.
Q: My pears are still hard after a week. What’s wrong?
A: They were likely picked too immature. Some fruit may never properly ripen if harvested before reaching a basic level of maturity on the tree. They might soften slightly but remain flavorless and mealy.
Q: Are there any other signs a pear tree is ready for harvest?
A: Yes, sometimes a few of the healthiest pears will drop naturally from the tree. This is a good natures signal to start checking the others. Also, birds showing increased interest can be a clue!
Mastering the art of picking Bartlett pears at just the right moment ensures you get to experience their ideal flavor and texture. By focusing on that key color change, the easy twist-off, and the firm feel, you’ll harvest a crop that ripens beautifully on your counter. With a little practice, you’ll be enjoying perfect, home-grown Bartlett pears every season.