August/September 2002
By Doreen G. Howard
Although pears are easy to grow, Ed says the most perplexing part of raising them is figuring out when to harvest. European pears do not ripen on the tree: They must be picked green. Determining when they're ready to pick takes practice.
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Ed harvests pears when the skin near the fruit's stem yields slightly under pressure of his thumb. He says all pears should be picked at this stage and then refrigerated at about 36 degrees for at least one week. After a week in cold storage, he says, let the pears ripen gradually at room temperature for a couple of days for maximum flavor.
For two reasons, autumn is the best time to plant pear trees. Bargains can be found at garden centers and through mailorder companies because they are clearing out stock for winter. (For nurseries offering fall shipping, see "Mail Order Sources" on Page 29.) Ed says you can gain one full season's growth by planting in the fall rather than in spring.
Trees can be planted any time before the ground freezes. Planted in the fall, trees will spend the winter months establishing vigorous root systems, even in cold climates. Feed with compost and don't use chemical fertilizer. Protect the bottom 3 feet of young tree trunks from rabbits and other chewing critters with plastic tubes or fine-wire mesh. He recommends pulling mulch 6 to 8 inches away from trunks to discourage nesting rodents, who will also chew bark.
Go to this story's image gallary to see a chart of the best-tasting and easiest-to-grow pears.
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