How to grow Pear in the UK
- TypeTree
- Ready to pickAugust, September, October
- Space neededabout 3m x 3m
When is pear ready to pick?
August-October, a little before they're ripe.
Pick when the pear comes off with a gentle lift and twist, while it's still firm - then ripen it indoors for a few days.
Looking after pear
- Prune in winter while bare
- Water well in dry spells while the fruit is growing
- Conference is self-fertile; most others need another pear nearby
Storing and keeping
Store firm pears somewhere cool and bring a few into the warm kitchen to ripen. They go from hard to mushy fast - check daily!
Pests and problems
Orange spots on the leaves are pear rust - it looks bad but usually does little harm.
Good varieties
- Conference: Long green pears - the most reliable in the UK.
- Concorde: Sweet and juicy on a compact tree.
- Doyenné du Comice: The best-tasting pear, but needs a partner and a warm spot.
- Beth: Early, sweet and melting.
Plan your own garden: it tells you what to do and when, for your postcode.
Start growing - it's free