Amateur gardener with a pear tree..

HI everyone,

We moved into our home last December which has a wonderful garden...I on the other hand have never had a garden before so really not sure where to start!

We've got a pear tree in the garden, I think they're conference pears (according to my Nan). The pears have started to fall and I find them already half eaten or bruised, but the ones still on the tree are still quite hard.

So I'm not really sure what my question is here...all I need is some help as to where to start with these lovely pears that I don't want to go to waste. And also to keep my tree happy and healthy to get lots more pears out of it in years to come.

Like I said i'm a complete amateur so any tips and hints very welcome

If the pears have started to fall they should be ripe enough to pick. Conference is quite a firm pear anyway. Pears ripen after they have been picked, some varieties very quickly. I would pick them and store them in wooden fruit and veg boxes (should be able to get some from friendly local supermarket), lined with newspaper (or could use shallow cardboard boxes). Don't let them touch each because if any rot it can spread. Store in cool, frost free place. They should ripen after picking then you can eat them or prepare them for the freezer. Pears don't keep a long time after picking, unlike apples, unless you can keep them refridgerated.

Thank you Busy-Lizzie, shall I pick the smaller ones as well? Or let them grow a little? Is there any winter help I can give it to keep it healthy when it's cold or are they quite self efficient?

Conference pears are ready in October and November, so I'd leave the small ones a bit longer, but it may be that they won't grow more. Pick the ones than come off fairly easily with a twisting movement. Pear trees are hardy and don't need much attention. They are pruned in the winter, but I'm not an expert on pruning - it's a bit hit and miss! You could give it some fertiliser in the Spring.

You can get some information about pruning here http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=90

It will be useful to know that Conference is a 'spur bearing' tree - scroll down and you will find the pruning instructions. 

Amazing, thank you!