Medlar Growing Guide
Mespilus germanica
![Medlar]()
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Deep, fertile, well-drained soil.
Position
Full sun or partial shade.
Frost tolerant
Yes.
Feeding
Mulch with well-rotted organic matter in spring.
Companions
-
Spacing
Single Plants: 4.50m (14' 9") each way (minimum)
Rows: 4.50m (14' 9") with 4.50m (14' 9") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Prepare a large hole by breaking up the soil and adding plenty of well-rotted organic matter.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Stake trees for the first 3-4 years. Healthy medlar trees will bear for decades.
Harvesting
Can harvest in autumn before the fruits are fully ripe or else leave until they ripen if there is no danger of frost. Fruit must first be ‘bletted’ before eating raw. To do this, leave them in a cool place until they turn dark red-brown and become soft.
Troubleshooting
Medlars are naturally astringent, like persimmons. In Australia fruit fly are a pest of medlars, make sure to take appropriate control measures in areas where they are present. It is important to dispose of any infected fruit and fruit has fallen to the ground by placing them in a sealed plastic bag in the sun for at least 7 days to kill the eggs and larvae. Do not compost fruit as this will lead to the fruit fly completing their life cycle and lead to the problem recurring.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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Pests which Affect Medlar
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