Pomegranate trees produce their white or red blossoms in early spring, and the fruit will typically be ready to be picked approximately six or seven months after these flowers first appear. The large, heavy fruits begin to pull the branches down and the tree may take on a weeping shape. You can extend the production season by planting varieties that with different ripening times. Pomegranates are non-climacteric; they do not continue to ripen after harvest, so it’s important to pick the fruits only after they are ripe. Your USDA Zone may also have an impact. 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Today, due to its designation as a “super food,” pomegranates and their juice feature prominently in almost every local grocery. The pomegranate probably migrated to the United States with the Spanish, who got the tree from its native home in Iran. Water about once a week unless the weather is very hot and windy. Begin picking pomegranates when the fruit makes a metallic sound when you tap it with your finger. Most of the productive varieties will yield 60 to 100 pounds per shrub on a mature plant. You can also tap the rind with your finger. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Varieties blossom and fruit at different times, but you can usually get an estimate when you buy the plant. Once the trees have reached that age of maturity, the fruit will ripen about 6-7 months after flowering – generally making harvest season for pomegranates in September for early ripening varieties and continues through October for later ripening cultivars. Flavors vary from sweet to tart. How to Pick a Pomegranate. Fresh whole pomegranates … These are usually available: There are a number of variables that influence the actual season for ripe pomegranates. Eventually, one or more fruits will split. "A good, ripe pomegranate … Some of Our Favorite Recipes Featuring Pomegranates Look for flattened, angular sides rather than perfectly rounded spheres. Pomegranates used to be a rather exotic fruit, one that was imported and eaten on special occasions. Home gardeners may need trial and error over a few years to get to … You can find pomegranates in several different colors. A good choice for a garden fruit in areas with similar climates, pomegranates grow on deciduous shrubs or small trees. Some of the heaviest producing varieties can produce as much as 400 pounds on a large, older shrub. The ripest pomegranates aren't shaped like balls. At that point, harvest the entire crop – all should be ripe. A Little Tap Will Tell You! Ripe pomegranates will have a tinny sound. Ripe Pomegranate | Photo by Vanessa Greaves. A dark ruby red color is indicate of good quality. One, of course, is the weather – a late, cold spring may delay blossoming. How much fruit a pomegranate will produce will depend on the variety, care, and environmental factors. They aren't hard to harvest, but you need to know the signs of ripeness. The pomegranate fruit is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, and the 613 seeds in each pomegranate coincide with the 613 commandments of the Jewish Torah. This means it's ripe and full of juice on the inside. In fact, the heavier the pomegranate feels, the more juice the arils in the inside will have. Fresh whole pomegranates are available at grocery stores across the U.S. typically from October to January. When you are ready to harvest, cut the fruit from the tree, don’t pull it off. When you are ready to harvest, cut the fruit from the tree, don’t pull it off. As you might expect, the pomegranate prefers to grow in warm dry areas. Native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India, pomegranates have been cultivated for centuries for their juicy arils. How to Harvest Pomegranates. It Depends. The time to pick pomegranates depends on its variety. Weigh a few on the produce scale and pick … Some of the heaviest producing varieties can produce as much as 400 pounds on a large, older shrub. There are over 500 pomegranate cultivars, although some are available only from specialty growers or grown only in certain countries. When picking a pomegranate, make sure to feel its weight and skin. 2. Your USDA Zone may also have an impact. Skin Tone . Begin picking pomegranates when the fruit makes a metallic sound when you tap it with your finger. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. According to the experts at the Pomegranate Council, the best way to tell if a pomegranate is ripe is to hold it. A few are a deep reddish purple. As the fruits become blocky, the rind surface changes from glossy and smooth to matte finish and will feel rough. Cut the fruit as close as possible to the branch, taking the stem with the fruit. When Are Pomegranates Ripe? They need patience as they ripen in the fall and often are not ready to pick until November – or later. Cut the fruit as close as possible to the branch, … It is true the majority of pomegranates are picked around Halloween. Don’t expect to begin harvesting pomegranate fruit until 3-4 years after planting. What Do Pomegranates Grow On? One, of course, is the weather – a late, cold spring may delay blossoming. Get expert advice for how to pick out a ripe pomegranate by using visual clues that tell you if the fruit inside is juicy and ready to be eaten. Interesting Facts About Pomegranate Leaves. Even scratches on the surface of the pomegranate aren't necessarily a sign to avoid a piece of fruit or that the seeds inside have gone bad. During the first year of growth, a pomegranate tree may produce a few fruits, but the first real harvest will not occur until two or three years after planting. They are grown in mild temperate to subtropical climates in regions with cool winters and hot summers. Generally speaking, the “season” is from mid-July to October. Still others might be a creamy white or mottled with yellow even when ripe. Varieties blossom and fruit at different times, but you can usually get an estimate when you buy the plant. So how and when do you harvest pomegranates? There are a number of variables that influence the actual season for ripe pomegranates. When to pick pomegranate … Sign up for our newsletter. A ripe pomegranate should feel heavy for its size; an indication that the seeds are full and juicy. Depending on the region and environmental factors, pomegrantes can begin ripening from August to the middle of October. Pomegranates are generally ready for harvest about 6 to 7 months after blossoming. Store pomegranates in the refrigerator for up to 6-7 months, that is if you can wait that long to eat this delicious, nutritious fruit. When harvesting pomegranate fruit, pick when the fruit is fully ripe and a deep red in color since it does not continue to ripe post-harvest. When harvesting pomegranate fruit, pick when the fruit is fully ripe and a deep red in color since it does not continue to ripe post-harvest. Read on to learn more. As long as the soil drains well, they are not fussy about their growing conditions. In many areas, these harvest dates range between August and December. Commercial growers track timelines, know fruit-color indicators for their varieties, and test the fruit for acidity and juice color. Generally speaking, the “season” is from mid-July to October. If you think your pomegranates are ripe, pull and gently twist one – if it readily slips from the stem, the fruit is ready. The rinds of some turn crimson red, while others may be pale pink. Once you pick out a perfect pomegranate, here's how to deseed it just seconds.