How to Grow Pears: The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

What are the best conditions for growing pears? ›

Full sun lovers, pear trees are easily grown in deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. They tolerate heavy, poorly drained soils better than most tree fruits. However, productivity is best on deep, well-drained loams. Since they flower early in spring, they are more at risk from spring frosts.

Pear Tree Fertilizer: The Right Type of Fertilizer

Pear tree fertilizer should be a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Look for a fertilizer with an NPK ratio where the three numbers are (almost) all the same, such as 10-10-10.

Pear trees are relatively easy to grow and winter-hardy in garden zones 3 to 10. Some varieties are suitable for growing in small spaces and containers.

It can take three to ten years before the pear seeds you've planted develop into mature pear trees that bear fruit. Keep in mind that the process is lengthy and involves a series of steps—including cold stratification, germination, and planting in the soil—each of which takes a few months and requires patience.

If you want consistent fruit it is best to plant two pear varieties with compatible pollen or be certain there is a pear tree in a neighbor's yard. If you're a fan of pears, find an open space in your yard for a couple of these beautiful trees and you'll have fruit for years to come.

Pear trees need full sun to produce sweet fruit, so pick a spot that gets at least six hours a day. For soil, they prefer well-draining soil rich with organic matter, but be careful of nitrogen-rich fertilizers; pear trees with access to too much nitrogen can be extra susceptible to a disease called fire blight.

If you have some fruit trees, a boost in magnesium will do them a world of good. Epsom Salt is used on fruit trees or vegetables to help them yield larger, sweeter, and more fruits. It works great also for nut trees and fruit shrubs.

Give your tree enough water to soak the ground all around the roots. It's important to note that even if you're in the midst of a brown-lawn drought, you don't want to water too much. Once every 10 days or two weeks is plenty. Worse than dry, thirsty roots is waterlogged, drowning roots.

Pears need to be pollinated by insects to set fruit. In much of the world honeybees are the most common pear tree pollinator. In the maritime Northwest, particularly in cold, wet springs, Orchard Mason Bees are often more reliable.

You have to plant at least two varieties of pear trees, to ensure cross-pollination and fruit production. The trees should be spaced 15-20 feet apart when planted. Lastly, make sure the varieties you choose are compatible with each other.

Are pear trees high maintenance? ›

Pear Trees

Asian pears tend to be hardier and more resistant to most diseases (fire blight is a common exception), although some European kinds, such as the Kieffer, generally do well across the U.S. Keep in mind that pear trees require annual pruning and don't take well to transplanting.

It is always best to pollinate fruit trees of the same genus with each other (apples with apples, pears with pears) but pears can cross-pollinate with apples as long as both trees bloom at the same time. Some (but not all) crabapple trees work for cross-pollination.

An important part of pear tree care is pruning, and the first pruning should occur as soon as your tree is planted. Leave a central leader and choose three to five branches with outward rather than upward growth and prune out the rest. Trim off the ends of the remaining branches to encourage growth.

Grow pears in moist but well-drained soil in full-sun to partial shade. Prune fan- and espalier-trained pears in summer and standard pears in winter. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.

Bartlett is an ideal pear tree to grow at home despite its longer harvest time. These pears are easy to grow and maintain. These pears require less pruning than other varieties, so they are perfect for people who enjoy growing their own fruit but who don't have much gardening experience.

Pears are hardy and will grow well in many areas, but they do need a little cossetting in cooler regions. The flowers appear early and are easily damaged by frost so it's best to grow them somewhere sunny and sheltered, but not in a low-lying area that could become a frost pocket.

Your tree would love a sunny place with well-drained, fertile soil. But it will be quite satisfied with six to eight hours of sunlight. Good drainage is required to keep your trees “happy.” If your soil has high clay content, use our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium or add one-third peat to the soil at planting time.

You have to plant at least two varieties of pear trees, to ensure cross-pollination and fruit production. The trees should be spaced 15-20 feet apart when planted. Lastly, make sure the varieties you choose are compatible with each other.