Pear trees are excellent options when you don’t want to second-guess which plants will grow in your zone 4 garden. They’re very adaptable to cold conditions, and a lot of them are hardy enough to thrive even in USDA zone 3 regions.
Do Pear Trees Grow Well in Zone 4?
The good news is, pears can be grown in your zone 4 home garden when nothing else will. Pears are somewhat similar to apples but they tend to be easier to care for.
One thing you have to keep in mind is you have to have at least two pear trees so it can pollinate and produce plenty of fruits come harvest time. Also, pears can be quite large and reach a maximum height of 40 feet in maturity, so you’ll need to allocate a significant portion of your yard or garden to accommodate them.
When to Plant Pear Trees Zone 4
Pear tree starters can be planted on the ground as soon as the threat of frost has passed. This could be anywhere between April to June or during spring.
Choose a location in your garden that gets full sunlight. It’s important to consider any obstructions that might come in the way of your pear tree getting the light it needs. Also, keep in mind that it will grow to be a very large tree, so do not plant it too close to your house.
Aside from sunlight, pear trees need well-draining soil and a pH of somewhere between 6 to 7. Dig a hole that’s twice the width of the plant’s root ball, then remove any encircling roots before settling it in. Replace the soil and remove as much air as possible by tamping down gently, then water thoroughly to eliminate the pockets of air. Add more soil if it settles until it’s somewhat level to the ground.
During its early years you can take several measures to keep the tree away from injury and damage. Install a tree guard and keep it there for several years so rabbits and voles won’t be able to get to it. Tree guards also reflect sunlight and sunscald during winter time. Alternatively, you can use tree wrap and mulch to give your pear tree a shield against freezing temperatures.
It’s quite easy to grow organic pears as it doesn’t need any sprays to be healthy. Furthermore, there aren’t many diseases that affect it, and they will stay happy and productive with regular pruning and maintenance.
Types of Pear Trees That Grow Well in Zone 4
Gourmet
Gourmet variety has medium pears that are crisp, sweet and juicy and thrive in zone 4 climate. The only requirement is that you have to have a pollinator tree nearby so you can get consistent harvests.
Pick fruits that look ripe throughout September. Pear trees take a while to fully mature and start producing delicious fruit, so it’s best to be patient until then.
Golden Spice
Golden Spice loves full sun and regular organic mulch and fertilization and will reward you with a bumper crop year after year.
The fruits are small and are best used for canning instead of eating fresh. It grows to a maximum of 20 feet and serves as a main pollinator for some pear varieties. Harvest time, once ready, can be done in August.
Early Gold
If you can’t wait years to get delicious pear fruit and want a tree that can survive zone 4 winters without any help, then you should pick Early Gold. It’s hardy in zone 3 areas and is one of the most popular pear trees around.
Early Gold starts quickly and produces fruits that are larger than the Bartlett variety. The pears are good enough to be eaten fresh, canned or preserved for later use. However, you’ll need another species for cross-pollination purposes.
Parker
Parker pear trees are a rare, self-pollinating variety that doesn’t necessarily require a second pear tree. However, harvest size will be diminished but the flavor and size is the same nonetheless.
Parker pears will benefit and thrive under full sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. Once established, you’ll have to wait a few years for it to mature and give you fruits that taste like Bartlett pears.