Having the same problem, to pick or not to pick, so we had a tester. Selected what looked like the ripest and with a bit of friendly persuasion it came off at the elbow cleanly. It was firm but cut with little effort and white all through. We had half each and it was delicious, firm not rock hard and juicy. We think it's time to do a bit of selective picking. Our location is north Hampshire with the tree against a fence south facing. Hope this is helpful.
Ref Happymarion and cooking pears. I have just picked my pears and cooked some in red wine to keep them in a jar. Do you know if these will keep or will I have to freeze them?
I picked mine in two tranches, giving first pick to a food bank to give away or use in their café. The rest were left for another two weeks and picked when some fell off and a few came off with a gentle twist. Some still on the tree as I am not tall enough to reach them.
Does anyone know if these are like soft fruit bushes and need pruning after picking?
Definitely the best way to keep them (uncooked) is to put them in the fridge (conference pears) as soon as they come away fairly easily (or drop to the ground). They then last for weeks.
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Fantastic post. I have my first real crop of conference pear this year and can't wait to pick them.
Having the same problem, to pick or not to pick, so we had a tester. Selected what looked like the ripest and with a bit of friendly persuasion it came off at the elbow cleanly. It was firm but cut with little effort and white all through. We had half each and it was delicious, firm not rock hard and juicy. We think it's time to do a bit of selective picking. Our location is north Hampshire with the tree against a fence south facing. Hope this is helpful.
Great looking harvest, Brian.
I never thought of growing mine upside down? (If you crop the photo before sending it sometimes remedies the upside down effect).
Ref Happymarion and cooking pears. I have just picked my pears and cooked some in red wine to keep them in a jar. Do you know if these will keep or will I have to freeze them?
I picked mine in two tranches, giving first pick to a food bank to give away or use in their café. The rest were left for another two weeks and picked when some fell off and a few came off with a gentle twist. Some still on the tree as I am not tall enough to reach them.
Does anyone know if these are like soft fruit bushes and need pruning after picking?
Definitely the best way to keep them (uncooked) is to put them in the fridge (conference pears) as soon as they come away fairly easily (or drop to the ground). They then last for weeks.