Conference
The standard UK pear for reliable cropping and good flavour. It stores well and suits most gardens.
When to plant Pears in York
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
Calibrated to York · average last frost around 26 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Plant while dormant in a sheltered, sunny spot. A dwarfing rootstock in a pot is a separate route.
01
Plant the Tree
18 Nov to 11 Feb 2027Plant the bare-root tree during 18th November - 11th February 2027. Only plant if the ground is open, not frozen or wet. Set the graft union above the soil. Firm in. Stake it. Keep a weed-free circle around the base. Water in well. Start winter pruning at planting.
- A second variety nearby helps fruit set. Conference is partly self-fertile.
- Cover blossom overnight if frost is due.
02
Water
11 May to 8 Oct 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysFrom 11th May 2027 to 8th October 2027, water well for the first two years, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year.
03
Mulch and Feed
25 Feb to 27 Mar 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysAround 25th February - 27th March 2027, mulch with compost or well-rotted manure. Leave a gap around the trunk. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.
04
Thin Fruitlets
10 Jun to 25 Jun 2027After the natural drop, during 10th June - 25th June 2027, thin congested fruitlets. Leave two fruits per cluster on a free-standing tree, or one on trained forms.
05
Harvest Pears
25 Jul to 8 Oct 2027Pick from 25th July 2027 to 8th October 2027 while the fruit is still firm. Lift and twist. Let them ripen indoors.
06
Winter Prune
26 Jan to 25 Feb 2027Prune around 26th January - 25th February 2027, while the tree is dormant. Keep an open centre. Remove crossing shoots and dead wood.
- Summer prune on cordons is a separate job.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Pear to consider
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.
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Pear guides by town
See how Pear timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.