Among varieties suited for the northwest, Catawbas have the best keeping quality, but other varieties can be kept satisfactorily. For proper flavor and texture, pears must be ripened after harvest. Pick pears when they are fully mature, but still hard and green. Pears are ready for picking when they change from deep green to pale green. Bartlett and Kieffer pears are usually ripened immediately after harvest at 60 to 65 F and are canned or preserved.
Kieffer pears require two to three weeks to ripen.
Bartletts ripen a little faster. Store pears with apples or under similar conditions. See that pears are cool and free of defects when you put them in storage.