When to plant Pears in Edinburgh

Pyrus communis

Pear
Pear · Pyrus communis

A hardy fruit tree for UK gardens, planted bare-root while dormant. It does best in full sun, in fertile, well-drained soil. Shelter from frost. The first crop comes after they settle.

600 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Edinburgh · last frost ≈ 4 May

Harvest September to October. Frost risk October to May.
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Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Use this guide once the tree is settled and cropping. It suits most garden pears grown in the ground, with light pruning and seasonal harvest care.

  1. 01

    Thin Fruitlets

    18 Jun to 3 Jul

    Around 18th June - 3rd July, thin clustered fruitlets after the natural drop. Space the remaining fruit so the branches carry a manageable crop and the pears size up properly.

  2. 02

    Harvest Pears

    1 Sept to 16 Oct

    Harvest from 1st September to 16th October once the fruit comes away with a gentle twist. Pick in stages, because pears are often ready over several passes rather than all at once.

  3. 03

    Winter Prune

    3 Feb to 20 Mar

    Prune during 3rd February - 20th March while the tree is dormant. Remove congested growth, shorten whippy leaders if needed, and keep the framework open so light reaches the fruiting wood.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Pear to consider

Conference

The standard UK pear for reliable cropping and good flavour. It stores well and suits most gardens.

Williams' Bon Chrétien

A well-known early pear with a juicy, aromatic flavour. Best eaten soon after picking.

Doyenné du Comice

A rich dessert pear with excellent flavour. It prefers a warm, sheltered site and can be a bit fussier than Conference.

Concorde

A compact, modern dessert pear with a good flavour and reliable cropping. Often a sensible choice for smaller gardens.

Pear guides by town

See how Pear timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.