October 8, 2026, 4:03 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Autumn is approaching, and with it comes pear harvest season. It’s not just the temperatures that matter, but also the variety of pears. Jens Meyer from the Pomologen Verein e.V. explains what is important during the harvest and how to store the fruit properly.
Follow myHOMEBOOK on WhatsApp now
Harvest Time Determines the Enjoyment of Pears
The variety of pear is crucial for the harvest time, as varieties differ in appearance, taste, juice content, and ripening time. It is estimated that there are more than 5,000 pear varieties, about 700 of which originate in Germany.
According to Jens Meyer from the Pomologen Verein e.V., pears should be harvested before they are fully ripe for consumption. Only very early varieties can be eaten from the tree from July to the end of August. “Once the first pears fall from the tree or turn yellow, they are ready to be harvested. However, it’s best to let them sit for a few days before eating,” explains the pomologist.
Winter pears last longer than other pear varieties. “They should be harvested by the end of October at the latest, although the pears are still quite hard and inedible at that time,” Meyer explains. According to the expert, they are ideal for storage and often last until February. However, they only become ripe in January and do not taste good before then.
Tips from the Pomologist on Storage
Pears can hardly ever be stored for long, except for winter pear varieties, emphasizes Jens Meyer. “After harvesting at this time of year, pears last at most two to three weeks,” says the pomologist. The ideal storage temperature is 2 degrees Celsius to keep the fruit longer. He recommends hobby gardeners place the pears in a cool, shady spot and regularly check their firmness to estimate the ripening time.
The idea that pears ripen faster when stored with other fruits is considered a myth by the pomologist. According to Meyer, his pears do not necessarily ripen faster just because they are stored with apples. While apples can speed up the ripening of potatoes, this does not necessarily apply to pears. The pomologist explains that he stores apples and pears together and has not had any bad experiences with it.
Often, Pears Are Eaten Before They Are Ripe
There is a significant difference between hard-ripe pears and fully ripe pears. Fully ripe pears are difficult to store and are not suitable for transport. Hard-ripe winter pears, such as the Alexander Lucas variety, can be stored for several months under certain conditions. However, at room temperature, they should still be processed or eaten quickly.
Today, many people eat their pears hard-ripe, similar to apples, even though they have not yet reached full ripeness. “A ripe pear is melting. It is soft, and the juice is already dripping out. Only then has the pear reached its full flavor,” the expert explains. For example, if winter pears are harvested in October, they should be left to sit so that starch breaks down and sugar forms. This ripening process ultimately results in the soft and melting texture of the fruit flesh.
Also interesting: 4 fruits you can collect and eat in the fall
4 Expert Tips for Apple Harvesting
Why Apples Become Mealy and What You Can Do About It
Common Mistakes to Avoid According to the Expert
Temperature and harvest time play an important role in storage. The pomologist describes that the two most common mistakes are a late harvest and storing pears too warmly. “Especially a late harvest causes the pears to turn yellow quickly and fall from the tree. As a result, they are not long-lasting or sometimes not at all,” Meyer explains.
Which Variety Is Suitable for a Small Garden?
The expert recommends the winter variety “Madame Verté” for hobby gardeners, as it can often be harvested as early as mid-December. However, the location of the tree must also be considered for this variety. “It makes a huge difference whether the tree is on the Rhine or in Flensburg. There can be a six-week difference between the recommended harvest ripeness, as temperature is a crucial factor,” the pomologist emphasizes. As previously explained, pears in warmer regions do not last as long as in cooler ones.
According to Jens Meyer, the varieties Gräfin von Paris and Josephine von Mecheln are also recommended. While the names of these pear varieties sound more like nobility than delicious fruits, they are said to be durable and enjoyable until January and February if stored correctly. Meyer notes that these pear varieties can still be relatively easily obtained from nurseries, whereas it is now difficult to find other pear trees.