When to Plant Pear in Melbourne — Cool Temperate Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Long-lived deciduous tree available as European pear (Williams, Beurre Bosc, Packham) or Asian/Nashi pear (Nijisseiki, Hosui, Kosui). European pears are picked slightly unripe and ripen off the tree. Nashi pears are eaten crisp like apples. Most varieties need cross-pollination with a different variety. Trees are very long-lived (50-100+ years) and generally easier to manage than peaches (less disease, fewer spray requirements).
How to Grow Pear in Cool Temperate Australia
When to Plant
Plant bare root June-August.
- Soil
- Deep, well-drained. Tolerates heavier soil than peaches or cherries. Slightly acidic to neutral.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun, 6+ hours.
Companion plants: Comfrey, Nasturtium
Avoid planting near: Juniper species (host for pear rust)
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Pear
Recommended Varieties
- Williams
- Packham
- Beurre Bosc
- Josephine de Malines
- Conference
Key Challenges
- Pear scab in wet springs
Pro Tips
- Excellent pear zone. Goulburn Valley is Australia's pear capital.
- Espalier is brilliant for pears in small gardens.
- Full range of varieties available.
Harvesting Pear
When ready: European pears: pick when full-sized but still firm (NOT ripe on tree). Background colour lightens slightly. Fruit detaches with upward twist. Ripen at room temperature for 5-10 days. Nashi pears: pick when sweet (they ripen on tree like apples).
How to harvest: Twist upward. European pears MUST be picked pre-ripe - tree-ripened fruit is mealy/grainy.
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