• Chill hours:
  We are often asked what this means, to keep things simple, we have chosen our selections based on years of experience, the listed varieties have historically performed well.
  ~ If you really want to know more about chilling hours, click here!

• Cross pollination:
  Pears are self-fruitful and will produce enough fruit you, your neighbors, and your friends. It is often written that certain varieties will benefit from having another nearby. This does not mean the second apricot needs to be in the same yard, within a couple of blocks will suffice.

• Air Flow:
  Air movement, even the slightest breeze, is key to dry the leaves from the morning dew. Without it your peach will be prone to leaf fungal problems.

• Sanitation:
  As with all fruit, it is best to keep all fallen fruit and leaves cleaned up. Fallen fruit and leaves harbor disease and insects.

In the Bay Area, the best growing conditions for Pears involve full sun, well drained soils, and good airflow.

Specific Growing Conditions:

• Sunlight:
  Pears need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. 

• Soil:
  Well-drained, sandy loam soil is preferred. Amending clay soil with organic matter can improve drainage. Avoid planting where winter rains may puddle. 

• Irrigation:
  Pears require moderate irrigation during dry periods of our year. Typically, a well-established tree may only need a slow deep watering every 10-14 days. A newly planted tree will need lighter more frequent watering. 

• Mulch:
  Mulching helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. 

• Fertilization:
  Supplemental fertilization is typically needed to ensure the tree receives adequate nutrients for the best flavored fruit.

• Pruning:
  Pruning is often overlooked yet, when done properly, can help increase fruit production and improve air flow through the tree which decreases the incidents of disease and pest outbreaks.

Most Common Pests:

• Aphids:
  These tiny insects suck sap from leaves and fruit, causing damage and potentially spreading diseases.

  Learn more about Aphids here.

• Scale:
  Various types of scale insects can infest Peach trees, suck sap and weaken the tree. 

Controls

• Aphids and Scale can be controlled with Fertilome’s ’Neem’ which is approved for organic gardening. As with other oil-based garden sprays it is best to apply either in the very early morning or evening to prevent leaf burn. If pollinators are present, apply in the evening after foraging activity has stopped.

Most Common Diseases:

• Powdery Mildew:
  This is the most prevalent disease we contend with in the Bay Area. It is a fungal disease that causes a white powdery growth on leaves and young twigs, eventually leading to leaf and twig death if left untreated. 

  Learn more about Powdery Mildew here

• Fire Blight
  This bacterial disease causes sudden wilting and death of flowers, blossoms, and young shoots, and can be fatal to the tree. 

Controls

• Powdery Mildew can be controlled with Fertilome’s Spinosad Soap, a bio-insecticide that will also control many of the pests listed above. Apply Spinosad Soap in the evening after bees have stopped foraging to prevent harm. This product is considered bee safe 3 hours after application.

• The best defense from Fire Blight is to follow a regime of applying Fertilome’s ‘Fungicide 5’, a biofungicide that is approved for organic gardening, during the growing season. Follow this by treating your trees in winter with Fertilome’s ‘Copper Fungicide’ (approved or organic gardening) or Monterey Lawn and Garden’s ‘Liquid-Cop’. Winter applications of either of these two products can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks during the growing season.