Fruiting pomegranate trees, Punica granatum, are best suited to growing in hot, dry climates of USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.
The fruits can take between five and seven months – depending on the variety – to mature and ripen, ready for picking.
Since they do not continue to ripen off the tree after they have been picked, it’s important to get the timing of your harvest just right.
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Our guide to growing pomegranates has all the details on how to cultivate these trees in your landscape. In this guide, we’ll discuss when and how to harvest your homegrown fruit.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
How to Tell When Pomegranates Are RipeGenerally speaking, pomegranate trees will produce a reliable harvest two to three years after planting.
They flower from midspring into fall, and fruits that are set in March or April will be ready for harvest between August and October, depending on the variety.
It’s important to note that because pomegranate plants bloom in two to three cycles throughout the spring and summer, though some fruits may be ready to harvest, others may still need more time.
Plan to make a trip out to the garden frequently during harvest season, to check on your crop and pick what’s ripe.
When you go out to harvest your fruit, you’ll need to know how to identify which ones are ready to pick and which ones should be left on the tree to continue ripening.
You’ll notice three primary visual cues when the fruits are ready for harvest:
The shape of the pericarp The texture and color of the skin The weight of the fruitWhen they are ripe, rather than being round like a ball, the shape will change,
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