Packham's Triumph
Pear in the UK

Right, so you don't really sow pears from seed, not for eating anyway. What you're doing is planting a bare-root tree, usually in the dormant season, like from November right through to March. Find a spot in full sun, dig a big enough hole, loosen the soil at the bottom, and get some good compost in there. Plant it so the old soil mark on the stem is level with your new soil, then firm it in well. Most pears need a pollination partner nearby to give you a proper harvest, so check what you're buying, you know what I mean.

Once your bare-root tree is in, it's about getting it established. You'll need a good sturdy stake for the first few years to keep it upright against the North East winds. If you're going for a fan or cordon, get your wires up early on to train it right from the start. Give it plenty of space if it's going to be a free-standing tree; depends on the rootstock, but you don't want it getting crowded out.