Pears in the UK are generally ready to pick from late August through October, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Most varieties should be harvested when the fruit is mature but still firm and not fully ripe on the tree, as pears ripen best off the tree indoors. Key details include:
- For popular varieties like Conference, fruit is usually ready for pick in late October.
- Early varieties such as Beth can be ready by late August.
- The best way to tell if pears are ready is by gently cupping the fruit and tilting it horizontally: if the pear comes away easily from the branch without force, it is ready to pick.
- Pears tend to ripen from the inside and will become soft and sweet after picking; it is advised to store them indoors at room temperature for several days to ripen fully.
- Picking the pears before they fully ripen on the tree helps avoid mushy or mealy texture since pears do not ripen well if left to become too soft on the tree.
Thus, in the UK, checking pears from late August onwards and harvesting them just before full ripeness is optimal, with many types peaking in readiness during October.
