When I first moved here there were two OLD pear trees in the yard. Like you said, they were hard like an apple and very sweet.I did plant more squash, deer ate it. My pot taters are coming back, but its probably to late now for a second crop. I have some thinning to do, just waiting on cooler weather. We canned 12 qts of mater juice this week, probably will can some maters for soups. Looking forward to apples, we will dehydrate some and freeze a few. Pears will be ripening in sept. I dont know what kind of pears they are, hard as a rock right now, but when they turn ripe, yum yum.
I cut them down after they get damaged and became over-run with water sprouts.
Sounds like your gardening this year isn't a total flop after all.