Pears Are Starting: Bartlett First

What's Ripe Right Now: Bartlett Pears Are Opening

Pear season has arrived at Fisher's Fruit & Christmas Tree Farm in Brockport, Monroe County — and Bartlett is always the variety that leads the way. Bartlett pears are the classic summer-to-fall pear: smooth-skinned, sweet, and juicy when fully ripe, with a soft give and mild floral flavor that makes them excellent for fresh eating, poaching, or preserving. At the farm, they ripen in mid-to-late August and the window moves quickly — typically two to three weeks before they're past peak.

If you've been holding out for pear season near Rochester, the wait is over. Check current picking conditions before heading out to confirm Bartletts are open and for the latest availability updates. Pear pricing at Fisher's Fruit is $14 per 8-quart bag and $40 per bushel.

What Else Is Happening at the Farm This Week

Pears don't open alone. Paula Red apples are still in their early-season run, and the first round of mid-season apple varieties isn't far behind. Late peaches and nectarines may still be going depending on the weather — check current picking conditions for the full picture before you drive out. Fisher's Fruit has grown fruit using organic practices — no systemic pesticides, ever — since 1973. It's a wide-open orchard experience without the crowds that arrive later in September.

For a full look at everything we grow, visit our pears page or browse the apple varieties coming up next.

What's Coming Next in Pear Season

Bartlett is just the first pear variety of the season. After Bartletts finish, additional pear varieties follow through into September — giving you multiple chances to pick fresh local pears at the farm. Each variety has its own sweetness level, texture, and best use: some are great for eating out of hand, others hold together beautifully when baked or preserved. Visiting early in pear season means the most selection and the freshest fruit.

A Note on Timing and Weather

Pears — like every fruit at the farm — ripen on the tree's schedule, not the calendar. A cool stretch of nights in August, a rainy week, or unusual summer heat can all shift when a variety peaks and how quickly it moves through. Bartlett pears in particular can go from firm to perfect to past-peak faster than you'd expect once warm days stack up. The safest way to time your visit is to check current picking conditions right before heading out to Fisher's Fruit in Brockport. It's updated as each variety opens and closes, so you won't make the drive for something that finished the day before.