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Determining when a pear is ripe can be difficult because pears ripen even after picking. If you pick a pear too early, it can become hard and sour, and if you leave a pear on the tree too long, it can become mushy.
“Pears also ripen from the inside out,” explains Evan Torchio, founder of Tree Menders. “So even if they look beautiful on the tree, they may not be ripe yet.”
So, it’s important to know when to pick pears. We spoke to fruit experts to find out when you should start picking pears from your orchard.
Meet the expert
- Evan Torchio is the founder of Tree Menders, a tree specialist.
- Brianna Shales is an organic fruit grower and marketing director at Stemilt.
5 Signs Your Pears Are Ready to Harvest
Color changed
The color of the pear will begin to change from green to more yellow. Of course, the exact color change will depend on the pear variety. Torchio explains that Bartlett pears will turn yellow when ripe, and those that are normally green may be a little lighter.
Soft stem
This will make it easier to separate the pear from the tree, while the unripe pear will want to cling to the tree as long as possible. According to Torchio, the area around the stem will soften slightly when you press lightly.
Skin has changed
Unripe pears have rough skin. But when ripe, the pear will feel waxy and smooth to the touch.
Brown seeds
To check this, you need to cut open one of the pears to see the seeds. When the pear is ripe, the seeds will be dark brown instead of green.
Number of days since bud bloom
Brianna Shales, marketing director at Stemilt, explains that each plant has a different growth period.
“When the fruit blooms, the fruit tree has an estimated number of days from bloom to harvest, which helps us estimate when the fruit is ripe,” says Shales.
If unsure, contact a local nursery or tree expert to find out what type of pear tree you have.
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How to pick pears
- Find mature pears using the tips above.
- Then, hold the pear in your hand.
- Gently twist or turn the pear to separate it from the branch. But don’t pull or tug too hard. This may damage next year’s buds.
Tips for choosing the best pears
- Limit the number of pears you pick at one time.Torchio recommends picking only a few at a time so you can enjoy them when they are at their peak bloom.
- Do not harm the flower buds. This means not tugging or pulling too hard. Instead, use a gentle twisting motion rather than pulling out, or you could damage the buds, Shales says. “We want to help preserve the buds that will become next year’s crop,” Shales explains.
- Look for pale, sunny yellows. One side of the pear will be pale yellow or maybe slightly pink, says Shales. These colors indicate the pear will have enough flavor and sweetness.
- Wait until the pears are soft. “If you pick a pear when it’s too firm, it will take a long time to ripen on its own,” explains Shales. Picking it too early can also prevent the pear from reaching its full size, leaving you with tiny pears.
Frequently Asked Questions
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As the fruit changes color, the skin becomes waxy and smooth, and the pear easily separates from the tree without much effort.
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Exact picking time depends on your location and plant variety.
“But generally, pears will fruit in late summer to early fall, from about August to September in many places,” Torchio said.
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Yes, pears will still ripen after picking. Torchio suggests leaving them on the counter for a few days and placing them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up the ripening process.
Meanwhile, some pear varieties need more time to ripen naturally. For example, winter pears like d’Anjou and red d’Anjou pears need time in the refrigerator to ripen.
