Begin picking pomegranates when the fruit makes a metallic sound when you tap it with your finger. You can extend the production season by planting varieties that with different ripening times. When you are ready to harvest, cut the fruit from the tree, don’t pull it off. Commercial growers track timelines, know fruit-color indicators for their varieties, and test the fruit for acidity and juice color. A good choice for a garden fruit in areas with similar climates, pomegranates grow on deciduous shrubs or small trees. Read on to learn more. Cut the fruit as close as possible to the branch, … So how and when do you harvest pomegranates? Some of the heaviest producing varieties can produce as much as 400 pounds on a large, older shrub. Generally speaking, the “season” is from mid-July to October. 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. Look for flattened, angular sides rather than perfectly rounded spheres. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! When picking a pomegranate, make sure to feel its weight and skin. Most pomegranates do best in USDA Zones 8 to 10, although a few varieties are hardy to Zone 7. 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. When to pick pomegranate … It Depends. When Are Pomegranates Ripe? If you think your pomegranates are ripe, pull and gently twist one – if it readily slips from the stem, the fruit is ready. The large, heavy fruits begin to pull the branches down and the tree may take on a weeping shape. A Little Tap Will Tell You! A ripe pomegranate should feel heavy for its size; an indication that the seeds are full and juicy. They are grown in mild temperate to subtropical climates in regions with cool winters and hot summers. Native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India, pomegranates have been cultivated for centuries for their juicy arils. As long as the soil drains well, they are not fussy about their growing conditions. Water about once a week unless the weather is very hot and windy. Still others might be a creamy white or mottled with yellow even when ripe. A dark ruby red color is indicate of good quality. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. It should be heavy (full of juice) and firm to touch. It is true the majority of pomegranates are picked around Halloween. For actual harvesting, however, cut with shears. Today, due to its designation as a “super food,” pomegranates and their juice feature prominently in almost every local grocery. 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. The pomegranate probably migrated to the United States with the Spanish, who got the tree from its native home in Iran. "A good, ripe pomegranate … In fact, pomegranates have become so popular that many people in USDA zones 7-10 are trying their hand at growing and picking their own pomegranates. Don’t expect to begin harvesting pomegranate fruit until 3-4 years after planting. In many areas, these harvest dates range between August and December. There are a number of variables that influence the actual season for ripe pomegranates. A few are a deep reddish purple. Pick it up. Pomegranates used to be a rather exotic fruit, one that was imported and eaten on special occasions. Some of the heaviest producing varieties can produce as much as 400 pounds on a large, older shrub. What Do Pomegranates Grow On? The time to pick pomegranates depends on its variety. As you might expect, the pomegranate prefers to grow in warm dry areas. Home gardeners may need trial and error over a few years to get to … How to Harvest Pomegranates. You can find pomegranates in several different colors. 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. 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. Generally speaking, the “season” is from mid-July to October. One, of course, is the weather – a late, cold spring may delay blossoming. 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. The rinds of some turn crimson red, while others may be pale pink. This means it's ripe and full of juice on the inside. Fresh whole pomegranates … As the seed chambers swell, the fruit takes on more of a hexagonal shape and the ends flatten. All must ripen on the tree. Ripe Pomegranate | Photo by Vanessa Greaves. Skin Tone . Drought tolerant, the trees actually prefer a semi-arid climate, planted in deep, acidic loam with good drainage. 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. Pomegranates are generally ready for harvest about 6 to 7 months after blossoming. Flavors vary from sweet to tart. Grow them in full sun. 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. Fresh whole pomegranates are available at grocery stores across the U.S. typically from October to January. 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. According to the experts at the Pomegranate Council, the best way to tell if a pomegranate is ripe is to hold it. How much fruit a pomegranate will produce will depend on the variety, care, and environmental factors. At that point, harvest the entire crop – all should be ripe. However, no matter what the color, a ripe pomegranate should have no trace of green in its rind.