Potomac pear at the POP Learning Orchard, a cross between Moonglow, a modern disease resistant variety, and Anjou, a traditional French variety. The fruit ripens in mid-September. The skin is glossy green and looks like an Anjou. The sweetness is balanced with a subtle acid tang. Potomac pears will store for up to 2 months. (Photo Credit: POP)

The fall season boasts as one of the most abundant times of the year for harvesting fruit. Orchard stewards and fruit lovers can expect favorites such as apples, pawpaw, figs, grapes and pears!

European pear harvesting can be a bit trickier for those unfamiliar with the harvesting and ripening process across different varieties, as they are one of few fruits that require a ripening period after picking. In general, unless the timing is correct, many pears will not ripen perfectly off of the tree and can get mealy or soggy in the middle before the outside of the fruit is fully sweet since they ripen from the inside out. Pick them when they are mature but before they become overripe. Here’s what you need to know so that you can worry less about mealy, flavorless pears and enjoy the sweet and aromatic notes these delicious fruits have to offer!

Summer Pear or Winter Pear? 

In general, the pear harvesting season ranges from mid-August through mid-October, however timing your harvest is crucial! The first step is to first identify if the variety being harvested is a summer or winter pear. 

Summer Pears
Summer pears are typically harvested in August and September and can be kept at room temperature until they are ready to eat. Summer pears include varieties such as Bartlett, Moonglow, Harrow, Potomac, Shenandoah, Clapps Favorite, Orcas and more. 

Winter Pears
Winter pears are referred to as such because they are harvested in the early fall and stored in cool conditions to ripen later. These varieties typically have thicker skin that supports long-term storage through the winter and are often sweeter than summer varieties!

Winter pears require some post harvest chilling at 44 degrees or below from anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks, otherwise the fruit will mature and shrivel up without ripening. The exact chill time depends on the variety, but typically includes Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Potomac and more. Check your variety to confirm the correct postharvest chill time!

If you’re interested in learning about the pears growing at the POP Learning Orchard, check out this previously written blog post spotlighting the cultivars you can find in our European pear row!

Pears that ripen on the tree

As always, there are exceptions to every rule! There are a couple of European pear varieties (and read more about Asian pears below) that are known to ripen fully on the tree and do not require an additional storage time after harvesting:

Late August to September: Seckel
Late September to Oct: Lincoln

Great! But How Do I Know My Pears Are Ready to Pick?

Oregon State University Extension did a write up on some excellent tips for identifying pear harvest readiness. A few of them include:

  • Surface changes: fruit turning from light green to yellow, white spots turning brown and wavy texture becoming smooth
  • Fruit stem separates from the twig with ease
  • Fallen pears are beginning to ripen 

Pears are usually ready to eat when the flesh just below the stem yields a little bit to pressure when squeezed. 

Asian Pears

Chojuro Asian Pear harvested at the POP Learning Orchard this season! (Photo Credit: POP)

Unlike European pears, Asian pears should ripen fully on the tree and are ready to eat when picked! They are generally harvested in mid August through mid September and are ready to pick when the primary color of the fruit (also known as ground color) is no longer green. Colors may vary and appear brown, orange or yellow depending on the variety.  There are even a few varieties whose ground color stays green when ripe, which can make harvesting timing a little trickier. As with other pears, the stem should separate easily from the branch when lifted. And a taste test is always a good way to confirm ripeness!

SOURCES

Gardener’s Path: “Winter and Summer Pears, What’s The Difference?”

Oregon State University: “When Are Pears Ready to Be Picked?”

Food Forest Nursery: “Pear Ripening Chart- When Are Pears in Season?”

Plants of the POP Learning Orchard: Pear Cultivars!

This POP Blog was written by Orchard Director Sharon Appiah

SUPPORT US!  If you found this entry useful, informative, or inspiring, please consider a donation of any size to help POP in planting and supporting community orchards in Philadelphia: phillyorchards.org/donate