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Pear harvesting Scotland
Quercusrobur81
Posts: 231
in Fruit & veg
Hi there, just wondering when people up north were harvesting their pears? I read you were to harvest them before they ripen too much on the tree and then leave them on a windowsill for a week or two. Tried this last week with a couple but they remained solid and unjuicy! Maybe I’m still too early, we are in East Lothian, near Edinburgh. Thanks!
0
Posts
If it snaps off it's ready to finish ripening indoors, if it doesn't, leave it a few more days and check again.
The thing with pears is they start to ripen from the middle first then gradually ripen to the outside, so if they are left on the tree, by the time the outside feels ripe, the inside of the pear is probably rotten.
You can leave some in the fridge which will halt the ripening, then leave them at room temp for a few days to finish ripening.
To test hold the pear in the palm of your hand and press your thumb against the top of the pear just below the stem, if it gives a little it's ready to eat. If you leave it a couple of days more, it may have already started to rot. Timing is all!
If your tree is a Conference, then the process is different.
Pears also ripen at different times.
My Merton Pride was ready at the end of August, Burre Hardy is just about ready now and Glou Morceau will not be ready to pick until around Christmas.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
i don’t know what variety the tree is as it was here when we moved although I do have a feeling it might be conference! Looks similar anyway. Thanks again!