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Pear variety

Kieffer

The short answer

Kieffer requires 200–300 chill hours[1]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Kieffer growing facts
Chill requirement200–300 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessNot published for this variety
PollinationSelf-fertile, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowSeptember–October[1]
Years to bearing4–6 years (typical for pears)[2]
USDA pomological watercolor of Kieffer pear
Pyrus communis: KiefferUSDA pomological watercolor, Mary Daisy Arnold, 1932 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[3]

Notes

  • Self-fruitful; a late-season pear with a low chilling requirement (200-300 hours).[1]

A year with your Kieffer

When the work happens for a pear in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Pear in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune———————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing———————
Harvest—————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month pear calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Kieffer where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Kieffer? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Kieffer need?
Kieffer needs 200–300 chill hours.
Is Kieffer self-pollinating?
Kieffer is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. European pears — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026