Maggie's Farm

Seckel Pears, aka Sugar Pears, or Dessert Pears. One of my Dad's Seckel trees had a great crop this fall but it was a bit far north for them to ripen by September. More likely ripe on the tree by mid-late October.

Seckels are about 1/3 the size of regular Bartlett or Bosc Pears, and far sweeter. Like most pears, you need a couple of different pear varieties near by to ensure fertilization.

It's tree-planting season now here, late Oct and early November, for every sort of tree and shrub. It's the right time for transplanting things too.

Miller Nurseries has Seckels, also Stark Bros. I recommend the dwarf trees which grow up to about 10'. I only will plant standard trees for the birds and animals out on the edges. Cherry, apple, etc. Let them grow and ignore them.

For gifts, you can send a box of Seckels to people.

Mostly off-topic, but here's how to make one of the best desserts in the world: POACHED BOSC PEARS IN RED WINE SAUCE