"Growing Pears"
Growing traditional fruits in your garden is pretty straightforward and as long as conditions are favourable, the tree will produce fruit for many years. Choose a tree that you can train like an apple tree - into a fan shape or a small round ball. These trained orchard trees will be easier to keep maintained and also easier to harvest the fruit. Also, check that your tree is self-pollinating, or you may have to buy another one so they produce fruit. ************************************
A bright sunny position will also be good for your fruit to develop. They will thrive in a heavy soil rather than a light or sandy soil. Dig a large hole and mix well rotted compost into the soil you will be putting back into the hole. Make sure the compost is well rotted. Raw manure will burn the roots of your tree. Plant your tree with the grafted part about 4-6inches (10-15cm) above the ground. Firm down well, and water. Training trees will require strong wires to tie individual branches to, and you will need a sharp pair of secateurs of other cutting tool to prune efficiently without damaging your tree.
  Caring for your Tree In colder climates you will need to protect the tree with a fleece when it starts to blossom. The frost can damage the flowers and reduce the crop. Also birds love the young pear buds, so you may need to protect the tree for some time until the pears are well established.
Keep weed-free and well watered during summer months. Fruit trees don't tolerate drought conditions and will need regular watering in dry weather. They are, however, quite good at resisting bugs and diseases. Prune your tree according to the instructions for your
particular variety. In general, during the winter months, all dead wood and any straggly branches should be removed. And during the summer months, you should carefully prune any branches that are growing out of shape, and remove any diseased or overcrowding fruits. Again, check the instructions for your particular variety as their needs differ.
Harvesting Collect any fallen fruits immediately, as they could be diseased or have pests living in them. Check over the fruit you collect as some will be usable. Many fruits are simply windfalls and can be cooked in tarts and pies and cut up and mixed with other fruits for a tasty summer fruit salad.
When the fruit can be twisted gently and removed from the tree, it is ready to pick. Collect by hand and don't let them fall as they will bruise and won't store for so long. Pears can be stored for a while if kept dry and in a dark place away from direct sunlight and mice! Wrap individual fruits in paper and keep in cardboard or wooden trays. Happy Gardening! More "Fruit Tree" reading
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