When to plant Pears in the UK

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
Plant out November to February, harvest August to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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.

  1. 01

    Plant the Tree

    mid-November to early February UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant the bare-root tree during mid-November to early February. 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.

  2. 02

    Water

    mid-May to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From mid-May to mid-October, water well for the first two years, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    early March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around early March to early April, mulch with compost or well-rotted manure. Leave a gap around the trunk. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.

  4. 04

    Thin Fruitlets

    mid-June to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    After the natural drop, during mid-June to early July, thin congested fruitlets. Leave two fruits per cluster on a free-standing tree, or one on trained forms.

  5. 05

    Harvest Pears

    early August to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Pick from early August to mid-October while the fruit is still firm. Lift and twist. Let them ripen indoors.

  6. 06

    Winter Prune

    early February to early March UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Prune around early February to early March, 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

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.