Ripening Pears

[Impret-Sir]

My dwarf pear tree produced a bumper crop of fruit this summer, but they are all still rock hard. Are they likely to ripen now this late in the year? Should I pick them all and ripen them indoors? I would be sad to lose them all.

[Toorak]

Pears need to be ripened indoors. If left too long on the tree they go woody. If you twist the stem and they come away they are ready to pick even though they are hard.

[Impret-Sir]

Thanks for your answer, what is the best way to do that? On a window sill, in the airing cupboard etc?

[bhg481]

Gardeners' World last week said exactly what Toorak said.

[Toorak]

Not on a window sill - I would just put them in a bowl.

[Impret-Sir]

Thank you!

[Hopkirk]

Put bananas around them. Apparently this speeds up ripening.

[maggiebee]

Apparently pears ripen from the inside outwards. Best picked while still firm.