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Pears are sweet and juicy, great for eating fresh, baking into desserts, or adding to salads. While you may see pears in stores year-round, not every type is picked year-round.
So, when are pears in season?
In the U.S., pear season usually starts in late summer and lasts through winter. The timing depends on the variety, where they’re grown, the weather, and how they’re stored. Some types show up in August, while others are picked in fall and can be found into winter or early spring.
Knowing when pears are in season helps you pick fruit with better flavor and texture. It also explains why some types show up at different times and lets you enjoy the best seasonal produce.
This month-by-month guide covers when pears are in season in the U.S., when popular types are picked, how to choose ripe pears, and the best ways to store them.
When Are Pears in Season?
The main U.S. pear harvest starts in late summer and goes through fall. Since different types ripen at different times and many pears store well, you can often find them in stores for months after they’re picked.
A simple way to think about pear season is:
| Period | Typical Pear Availability |
| January–March | Stored fall and winter pears widely available |
| April–June | Domestic seasonal selection generally becomes more limited |
| July | Transition toward the new crop |
| August | Early varieties begin entering season |
| September | Major pear harvest period |
| October | Excellent variety and availability |
| November | Fall and winter varieties widely available |
| December | Strong availability of stored winter pears |
Keep in mind that harvest season and supermarket availability aren’t the same. Modern refrigeration, controlled-atmosphere storage, imports, and transportation can make pears available outside their local harvest period.
Pear Season Month by Month
Here’s what you can usually expect each month. What Fruit Is in Season Right Now? A 12-Month USA Guide.
January: Winter Pears Are Still Plentiful
January is still a good time to find pears, even though most orchards aren’t picking them now.
Many pears picked in late summer and fall are stored and sold through the winter.
Depending on location and supply, shoppers may encounter varieties such as:
- Anjou
- Bosc
- Comice
- Concorde
These types are great for winter salads, snacks, baking, or cheese boards.
February: Stored Pears Continue
February is generally part of the post-harvest availability period.
Winter pears picked months ago may still be in stores because commercial storage keeps them fresh for a long time.
This distinction matters when asking, “Are pears in season in February?”
You might see plenty of pears, but that doesn’t mean they were picked locally in February.
March: Toward the End of Winter Availability
By March, fewer U.S.-grown pears are usually available, depending on the type and how they’ve been stored.
You’ll still find pears in many stores, but there aren’t as many types as during the peak fall season.
If you buy pears this late in the season, check their condition carefully. Avoid any with big bruises, soft spots, or signs of spoilage.
April: Domestic Selection May Decline
April is usually outside the main U.S. pear harvest.
Supermarkets may still carry pears, but availability can be limited. Stores may still have pears, but they’re more likely to come from storage or imports. It’s better to check rather than assuming supermarket availability means it’s local and in season.
May: Outside the Main U.S. Harvest
May is not generally a major pear-harvesting month in the United States.
Pears can still appear in stores because the modern food supply operates internationally.
Countries in the Southern Hemisphere have growing seasons opposite those of the Northern Hemisphere. As a result, imported fruit can supply U.S. stores when domestic pears are outside their main harvest period.
June: Waiting for the New Crop
June is another transitional month.
Domestic pear trees are developing fruit, but the major harvest season has not yet begun in most important U.S. pear-growing areas.
If you’re looking for seasonal local fruit during June, other fruits may be more abundant depending on your region.
July: Pear Season Is Getting Closer
July brings us closer to the beginning of the new U.S. pear crop.
Some early-growing regions and varieties may approach harvest, but the broader commercial season generally becomes much more noticeable from August onward.
This is when shoppers interested in seasonal pears can start watching farmers’ markets and produce departments for new-crop fruit.
August: Pear Season Begins
August marks the beginning of an exciting part of pear season.
Early varieties begin being harvested in major growing areas.
Bartlett pears are particularly associated with late-summer harvests.
Bartletts are easy to recognize because green Bartlett pears typically turn more yellow as they ripen.
They’re excellent for:
- Eating fresh
- Canning
- Sauces
- Desserts
- Salads
If you’ve been waiting for fresh new-crop pears, August is when the selection starts becoming much more interesting.
September: Peak Harvest Period
September is one of the most important months for pears in the United States.
Several varieties may be harvested during this period, and produce departments begin carrying a broader selection of new-crop pears.
You may find varieties such as:
- Bartlett
- Red Bartlett
- Bosc
- Anjou
- Starkrimson
Exact harvest dates vary by location and year.
Weather conditions—including growing-season temperatures—can influence when fruit reaches harvest maturity.
October: One of the Best Months for the Variety
October is an excellent time to explore different pear varieties.
Fall harvest is underway or recently completed for many important varieties, making this a great time to compare their flavors and textures.
For example:
Bosc pears have a distinctive elongated shape and brownish skin. Their relatively firm texture makes them popular for cooking and baking.
Anjou pears are versatile and commonly eaten fresh or used in recipes.
Comice pears are known for their soft, juicy texture when ripe.
Concorde pears have an elongated shape and can offer a sweet flavor with a firm texture.
Instead of assuming all pears taste alike, fall is a great time to experiment with several varieties.
November: Fall and Winter Pears
November remains a strong month for pear availability.
Harvested pears move through distribution and storage, giving consumers access to numerous varieties.
Pears also fit naturally into many fall dishes.
Try them in:
- Fresh salads
- Baked desserts
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Fruit platters
Pears also pair well with nuts or cheese for a balanced snack or meal.
December: Pears for Winter
December brings the calendar full circle toward winter.
Although the main harvest is largely over, fall-harvested pears can remain readily available because wide varieties store well.
That makes pears a convenient winter fruit even when the trees themselves are dormant.
What Is the Peak Season for Pears?
If you want the simplest answer, late summer through fall is the heart of U.S. pear harvest season, with August through October particularly important for new-crop fruit.
However, no single peak date applies to every pear.
Different varieties mature at different times.
For example, an early Bartlett and a later winter pear may not be harvested in the same week.
Location matters as well.
A pear orchard in California can have a different harvest schedule from one in Oregon or Washington.
When Is Bartlett Pear Season?
Bartlett is one of America’s best-known pear varieties.
Bartlett harvest generally begins during late summer, although timing varies by growing region.
Bartlett pears are unusual among common pears because their skin provides a useful ripening clue.
A green Bartlett typically becomes increasingly yellow as it ripens.
Bartletts are juicy and aromatic when ripe, making them popular for eating fresh as well as processing and canning.
When Are Anjou Pears in Season?
Anjou pears are typically harvested in the fall, and they often stay available through winter and into spring because they store well. Unlike Bartlett pears, Green Anjou pears do not change color dramatically as they ripen. To check ripeness, gently press near the neck of the pear; slight softness can indicate that it is ready to eat.
When Are Bosc Pears in Season?
Bosc pears are another fall favorite.
They’re recognizable by their:
- Long neck
- Brown or russet-colored skin
- Firm flesh
- Distinctive shape
Bosc pears hold their shape relatively well during cooking, making them particularly useful for baking, poaching, and other cooked preparations.
When Are Comice Pears in Season?
Comice pears are commonly associated with the fall and winter pear season.
They’re prized for their juicy, tender flesh and sweet flavor when properly ripened.
Because ripe Comice pears can be delicate, handle them carefully to avoid bruising.
Why Can You Buy Pears All Year?
You might be wondering:
If pear season is mainly late summer and fall, why does my supermarket have pears in spring?
There are three major reasons.
First, commercial storage extends availability. Pears can be harvested at the appropriate stage and kept under carefully controlled conditions.
Second, different varieties have different storage lives.
Third, international trade fills seasonal gaps. When the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing spring, Southern Hemisphere fruit-producing countries are in a different part of their growing cycle.
Therefore:
Available in stores ≠ locally in harvest season.
That distinction matters for almost every seasonal fruit.
Where Are Pears Grown in the United States?
Commercial pear production is concentrated particularly in the western United States.
Major pear-growing areas include parts of:
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
These regions have climates and growing conditions suitable for commercial pear orchards.
Your local pear season may differ if you live elsewhere in the country, especially if you’re buying directly from a small local orchard.
Do Pears Ripen on the Tree?
Here’s one of the most interesting things about pears.
Many European pear varieties are harvested when mature but before they become fully soft and ripe on the tree. They then finish ripening after harvest.
This is why buying a firm pear doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve bought poor-quality fruit.
It may need time to ripen at room temperature.
How to Tell If a Pear Is Ripe
Don’t repeatedly squeeze the widest part of the pear. Doing so can bruise the fruit.
Instead, a commonly recommended technique is to gently press near the neck or stem end of the pear with your thumb.
If that area yields slightly to gentle pressure, the pear may be ready to eat.
This approach is particularly useful for varieties that don’t undergo an obvious skin-color change as they ripen.
How to Ripen Pears at Home
If you’ve bought firm pears, leave them at room temperature and check them regularly.
Once they reach your preferred ripeness, move them to the refrigerator to slow further ripening.
Don’t refrigerate an unripe pear immediately if you want it to soften soon, because cold temperatures slow ripening.
How to Store Ripe Pears
Once pears are ripe, refrigeration can help slow further softening.
Try to:
- Handle pears gently.
- Refrigerate ripe fruit.
- Check stored pears regularly.
- Use damaged or very ripe fruit promptly.
- Discard fruit showing spoilage.
If you cut a pear, refrigerate the unused portion promptly in a suitable covered container.
How to Choose Good Pears at the Store
Start by considering when you plan to eat them.
If you need pears immediately, look for fruit that is approaching eating ripeness.
If you won’t eat them for several days, firmer pears may be more practical because you can allow them to ripen at home.
Look for fruit free of serious cuts, decay, and extensive bruising.
Remember that natural russeting or brown coloring is normal for some varieties, particularly Bosc.
Are Seasonal Pears Better?
Seasonality can offer advantages, especially if you’re buying freshly harvested local produce.
New-crop pears may offer excellent flavor and variety during harvest season.
However, it would be misleading to say that every stored pear is automatically inferior. Commercial storage is specifically designed to maintain fruit quality after harvest.
The better question is:
Where was the pear grown, when was it harvested, what variety is it, and how has it been handled?
Those factors tell you more than the calendar alone.
Pear Season vs. Pear Availability
These two terms are often confused.
Pear season generally refers to the period when pears are naturally reaching harvest maturity in a particular growing region.
Pear availability refers to when consumers can purchase them.
Because of storage and imports, availability can be much longer than the local harvest season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What months are pears in season?
In the United States, pear harvesting generally starts in late summer and continues through fall, although exact months vary by variety and growing region. Stored pears can remain available through winter and beyond.
Is fall pear season?
Yes. Fall is one of the main periods for U.S. pear harvesting and offers a particularly broad selection of varieties.
Are pears in season in September?
September falls within the important U.S. pear harvest period, although availability depends on variety and location.
Are pears in season in October?
Yes. October is an excellent month for many fall pear varieties and is typically a strong period for selection.
Can you buy pears in winter?
Yes. Many fall-harvested pears can be stored and sold during winter.
Why are pears available in summer and spring?
Storage, imports, different varieties, and regional differences can extend supermarket availability beyond the main local harvest season.
When is the best time to buy pears?
If you’re looking specifically for fresh U.S. new-crop pears, late summer and fall are particularly important. If you’re looking for good-quality pears to eat, you may find suitable fruit for much of the year.
Final Thoughts
So, when are pears in season?
For shoppers in the United States, the main pear harvest runs from late summer through fall, with August, September, and October being especially important months for new-crop pears. Different varieties mature at different times, and many fall-harvested pears remain available through winter thanks to commercial storage.
Instead of relying only on the month, consider the pear variety, growing region, origin, ripeness, and intended use. In contrast, varieties such as Anjou require a different approach.
Bartlett pears may show noticeable color changes as they ripen, while varieties such as Anjou require other ripeness checks, such as gently testing the neck near the stem.
And remember: seeing pears in a supermarket year-round doesn’t mean they’re being harvested locally year-round. Storage and international supply make modern pear availability much broader than the natural harvest season.
References
- USA Pears – Field to Market — Useful for your season/harvest information. USA Pears states that U.S. pear harvest begins in August with Bartletts and continues through September and October with winter varieties. USA Pears
USA Pears – Field to Market - Washington State University – Pear Varieties — Excellent authoritative source for different varieties and harvest timing. WSU explains that summer pears begin harvest in August, while winter pears begin in late August and continue into September. WSU Tree Fruit
WSU Tree Fruit – Pear Varieties - Oregon State University Extension – Preserving Pears — Good source for your sections about harvesting, ripening, and storage. It explains that pears should generally be harvested when mature but not fully ripe and provides information about cold storage for winter varieties. OSU Extension Service
Oregon State University – Preserving Pears - USA Pears – Pear Ripening & Storage — Supports your advice to leave pears at room temperature and refrigerate them once ripe. USA Pears
USA Pears – Ripening and Storage Guide - USA Pears – Bartlett Pears — Particularly useful for the Bartlett section. Northwest-grown Bartletts are harvested around late August to early September, with availability extending into winter. USA Pears
USA Pears – Bartlett Pears - Oregon State University Extension – When Are Pears Ready to Be Picked? — Useful for explaining why pears are picked before becoming completely soft and how they continue ripening after harvest.