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Pomegranates are ready to be picked when they have fully ripened on the tree, which usually happens in the fall.
That timing can vary based on your climate, the specific variety you’re growing, and the weather patterns of that particular season.
If you’ve been asking when are pomegranates ready to be picked, the short answer is that they don’t ripen off the tree, so you must wait until they’re fully mature before harvesting.
Luckily, pomegranates give you several clear physical clues that tell you when they are ready for harvest.
In this post, we’ll break down the exact signs to look for so you know when are pomegranates ready to be picked in your own garden.
Let’s dive into the details of timing your harvest perfectly.
When Are Pomegranates Ready To Be Picked?
Pomegranates are ready to be picked once they stop increasing in size and have developed their full color and internal sugar content.
The key is that pomegranates only ripen while still attached to the tree.
Once you cut them off, the sugars inside will not increase, so picking too early will leave you with a tart, flavorless fruit.
1. It’s All About the Season
For most home growers, the harvest window for pomegranates opens roughly six to seven months after the tree blossoms.
That typically lands between September and November in the Northern Hemisphere, but it can start as early as August in very hot climates or stretch into December in cooler ones.
The exact month is less important than the visual and tactile signs, so don’t just rely on the calendar to know when are pomegranates ready to be picked.
2. The Skin Color Deepens
One of the first signs that pomegranates are ready to be picked is a dramatic color change on the exterior.
Immature pomegranates are often green or pale yellow, but ripe fruit develop a rich, deep red, crimson, or even a blushing pink-orange hue depending on the variety.
However, color alone isn’t the best indicator because some varieties stay greenish-red even when fully ripe.
So, while a deep color is a good hint, you’ll want to confirm with other methods to be sure when are pomegranates ready to be picked.
3. The Shape Becomes Squarish
As pomegranates ripen, they aren’t perfectly round anymore.
A ripe fruit begins to flatten slightly at the top and bottom, giving it a more angular, squarish or hexagonal shape rather than a smooth sphere.
If your pomegranates still look like perfect balls, they probably need more time on the tree.
This shape change is a strong signal that the pomegranates are ready to be picked soon.
4. The Sound Changes
Believe it or not, listening to your pomegranates can tell you a lot about when are pomegranates ready to be picked.
When you tap a ripe pomegranate with your knuckle, you’ll hear a metallic, almost tinny sound, like tapping on a metal can.
Unripe pomegranates produce a duller, thud-like sound because they are filled with less sugary juice and more dense pulp.
If you hear that bright, ping-like tone, it’s a great indicator that the seeds inside are plump, juicy, and full of sugar.
5. The Cracking Test
As the fruit swells with juice and sugars inside, the outer skin begins to stretch tightly.
When the skin can’t stretch anymore, it naturally begins to crack.
These small, superficial cracks are actually a great indicator of peak readiness.
If you start to see tiny splits in the skin, especially around the crown (the blossom end), that’s a sign that pomegranates are ready to be picked and are at maximum sweetness.
Don’t wait too long after cracking appears, because heavy rain or insects can enter through the cracks and spoil the fruit.
6. The Weight and Feel Test
A ripe pomegranate will feel surprisingly heavy for its size.
Hold one in your hand and compare its weight to another fruit of similar size; the heavy one has more juice inside.
You should also gently squeeze the fruit.
It should feel firm but with a slight give, not rock hard like a baseball.
If it feels spongy or soft, it may have over-ripened or started to rot inside.
This combination of heft and gentle firmness helps you know when are pomegranates ready to be picked.
How To Pick Pomegranates Correctly
Once you’ve determined pomegranates are ready to be picked, you need to remove them from the tree the right way.
Don’t just yank them off because you might tear the branch or damage the fruit’s crown.
1. Use Sharp Pruners
Grab a pair of clean, sharp garden pruners or a sharp knife.
Cut the stem about one to two inches above the top of the fruit, leaving a small piece of the stem attached.
This helps the pomegranate last longer in storage and prevents the fruit from rotting at the crown.
2. Handle With Care
Even though the skin looks tough, pomegranates bruise easily.
So, gently place them in a basket or a lined bucket rather than tossing them in.
Bruised areas will eventually turn brown and may rot, so you want to keep them in pristine condition after you’ve figured out when are pomegranates ready to be picked.
What Happens If You Pick Them Too Early?
If you harvest before pomegranates are ready to be picked, you’ll be disappointed with the results.
The arils (the juicy seeds) will be pale pink or white instead of a vibrant ruby red.
They will also be very tart and lacking in sweetness because the sugar development halts the moment you cut the fruit from the branch.
Unlike avocados or bananas, pomegranates are non-climacteric.
This means they do not continue to ripen after harvest, so you can’t help them along on your counter.
It’s truly a “wait until it’s perfect” kind of fruit, which makes understanding when are pomegranates ready to be picked so critical for a good harvest.
Tips For Storing Your Harvest
Once you know when are pomegranates ready to be picked and you’ve brought them inside, you need to store them properly.
Pomegranates are actually one of the longest-storing fruits.
1. Short-Term Counter Storage
If you plan to eat them within a week, you can keep them on your kitchen counter at room temperature, just out of direct sunlight.
They will be fine for about five to seven days like this.
2. Long-Term Fridge Storage
For longer storage, place whole pomegranates in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
In this environment, they can stay fresh and juicy for up to two to three months, or even longer in some cases.
The cool, humid air helps prevent the skin from drying out and shriveling.
3. Freezing the Arils
You can also remove the arils and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag.
Frozen arils will keep for up to six months and are perfect for smoothies, salads, or desserts.
So, When Are Pomegranates Ready To Be Picked?
Pomegranates are ready to be picked in the fall when they show the telltale signs of maturity.
You’ll know they are ready when they’ve changed color, developed a squarish shape, feel heavy, sound metallic when tapped, and possibly show tiny cracks.
Remember that they won’t ripen off the tree, so waiting for these signs is the best way to ensure a sweet and juicy reward.
Keep an eye on the timing, trust your senses, and you’ll enjoy the tastiest pomegranates your tree can produce.
Now get out there and check those fruits!