Grow your own pears and tuck into a delicious tarte tatin

Pears make for a lovely addition to any garden, bearing delicious fruit, and an attractive ornamental look. We’ve paired some growing tips from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and a tantalising tarte recipe as seen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer.

If you’ve already got pear trees, you are probably enjoying the reaps of your harvest already. With some help from our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, we’ve put together some top growing tips for pear trees to inspire you to get growing at home. What’s more, we’ve also got a delicious recipe in store for your pear produce as seen on the Big Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022. Find out more below about how to make your own homegrown pear tarte tatin from John Torode and Lisa Faulkner.

How to grow

  • Pear trees like moist but well-drained soil in full to partial shade
  • Mulch annually with manure or compost
  • To protect your trees from frost, plant them against a south-facing wall or fence
  • When planting, dig a square shaped hole to allow the roots to spread out evenly. Dress the top of the soil generously with mulch

Similar to apple trees, most varieties of pear trees rely on a pollinating partner. For the best results, make sure to plant two pear trees to help them pollinate successfully.

Bare-root pear trees should be planted when dormant, between November and March. Potted pear trees can be planted in other times of the year. 

Untitled design - 2022-10-07T123338.655
Untitled design - 2022-10-07T131024.674

Caring for your pear trees

  • Watch out for frosts and provide fleecing to protect from cold snaps
  • Mulch annually in spring and water in dry spells
  • Pear trees can be pruned when dormant in midwinter – remove any dead, diseased or dying branches
  • In summer, improve air circulation by pruning to enrich the shape and health of your tree, making sure fruits can develop and ripen

You should be able to harvest your pears from late August. Pick them when the fruit is still firm to the touch. Cup the fruit in your hand and twist off gently. Store in a cool dark place where the fruits will ripen.

Feeling inspired? Why not try making a warming pear tarte tatin, as seen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer at the 2022 Show. Find out more below…

Pear tarte tatin

This recipe is from the BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022, as seen on the Big Kitchen at the BBC Good Food Show Summer with John Torode and Lisa Faulkner.

Ingredients

  • 100g salted butter
  • 4 pears, peeled and cut  into quarters lengthways
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod or 1 heaped teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1 pack ready-rolled puff pastry
  • ice cream or crème fraiche, to serve
    Celebrity chefs John Torrode and Lisa Faulkner
    Untitled design - 2022-10-07T124222.739

    Method

    1.Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. In an ovenproof heavy-based frying pan, melt the butter and add the sugar, pears, vanilla seeds and pod. Cook for about 10-15 minutes and keep stirring so the pears don’t stick to the pan. Then, turn the heat up and cook for another 10-15 minutes. The pears and sugary butter should turn a lovely golden caramelised brown. Be careful not to let it burn – keep watching and shake the pan to prevent any sticking.

    2.If you don’t have an ovenproof pan, transfer the pears and sugary butter to a 20cm pie dish. Next, roll the pastry out to just slightly larger than your pan or pie dish to around 1cm thick. 

    3.Lay the pastry over the pears and tuck it around the edges to form an upside-down tart. Bake for 30-40 minutes in the oven.

    4.Once out of the oven, use a large serving dish to place over the top of the tart and turn the tart over.

    5.Serve warm with ice cream or a dollop of crème fraiche.

    New year, new garden, new trends!

    We’re through the garden gate into 2023, with a host of gardening trends blooming throughout the country. From house plants reaching dizzying heights of popularity, to the colour of the year ‘Viva Magenta’, read on for our full list of trends.

    To get up close and personal with fresh garden inspiration, new plants, the latest gardening kit and more, join us in 2023.

    Colour of the Year 2023

    Hand-picked by Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as ‘Viva Magenta. 

    Pantone describe the colour as ‘brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.’

    Discover a world of colour and scent in the stunning Floral Marquee,  bursting with award-winning nurseries and display.

    Sustainable gardening

    Whilst your garden might seem to already be very green, it can always be greener!

    Discover ways you can make gardening more sustainable, like upcycling common items to make stylish features. What was a pallet, hessian bags, bits of pipe, and tin cans, could become a planter, grow bags, water features, and wildlife habitats.

    Be inspired by the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editorial team as they’re joined by experts to give tips and advice.

    Grow your own food

    Looking to go from soil to supper this year? Get brilliant advice from the National Allotment Society at the event.

    Peat-free gardening

    Learn about the latest peat-free compost from exhibitors who can offer face-to-face advice.

    Indoor gardening

    Foliage doesn’t just belong outside – bring nature indoors and be inspired by the Houseplant Hub.

    Mindful gardening

    Beautiful Borders returns with this year’s theme ‘My Garden Escape’ to give you space savvy ideas.

    Gardening on a budget

    Discover different ways you can let your garden bloom under a tighter budget, with advice from expert gardeners.

    Fermented foods

    Visit the BBC Good Food Summer Show (with free entry with your ticket!) and discover the latest foodie trends.

    Feeling inspired? Find out what else is happening at BBC Gardeners’ World Live this June!