Tan France Just Shared the Ultimate Winter Comfort Food – Here's the Secret to Growing Your Own

If there’s one thing Queer Eye star Tan France is really good at, it’s making something feel stylish and comforting all at the same time. In a recent Instagram video, he shared another cozy winter recipe: a walnut and plum pie. It’s exactly the kind of content that makes us gardeners start dreaming about spring harvests to come.

While Tan didn’t specify what types of plums he used, his pie is proof that winter is the best time to set plum trees up for a productive season ahead. Whether you already have plum trees or you’re planning to plant one soon, winter care can mean the difference between a handful of just “so-so” plums or a basket full of fruit ready for pies, jams, and fresh eating.

Start by Understanding Your Plum Type

Before pruning, planting or even touching a spade, it’s highly important you know which kind of plum you’re working with. Laura Sweany, a horticulturist from Raintree Nursery, explained, “There are 2 general categories of plums – Asian plums that are very juicy (think: juicebomb!) and bloom and ripen quite early in the season, and European plums that are meatier and sweeter and both bloom and ripen later in the season.”

As for blooming times and pollination, Sweany says, “Determine if your preferred variety is self fertile or needs a pollinizing partner… Asian and Euro plums don't bloom at the same time so they cannot pollinize each other.”

Andy Mariani from Andy’s Orchard gives some context on the specific plum varieties. He says, “Ina Garten's recipe uses Asian plums which are mostly grown in California. They bloom early and are susceptible to spring frosts.” He continues, “Examples of such plums include Santa Rosa and Laroda. European plums are hardier and can be grown in colder climates.”

Winter Pruning Sets the Shape and the Yield

One of the most important winter tasks when it comes to plum trees is winter pruning. With the leaves gone it’s easier to see the structure of the tree and make your cuts more strategically.

Sweany tells us, “Plums can be sensitive to fungal infections, so make sure to prune them during a dry period where no rain is expected for 2+ days.”

For plum pruning, a pair of bypass pruners that are sharp can be used to remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, opening up the top of the tree for better airflow. Try this reliable pair of Fiskars DualAction pruners from Amazon.

Mariani adds, “Asian plums require annual pruning to remove much of the previous season's growth and tidying up fruiting spurs… These early bloomers should be grown in climates where late spring frosts seldom occur.”

In humid areas, pressure from disease can be higher, but Sweany has a solution for this. She says, “In humid locations, you may want to check with your local County Agricultural Extension office for suggestions on products and timing for an anti-fungal spray regime.”

Mulching and Fertilizing for Winter Protection

Mulching in winter, as always, is highly important. Add a 2-4 inch (5-10 cm) layer of mulch around the base of the tree to protect the roots from rapid changes in temperature and to conserve moisture.

Pro tip: Be sure to add the mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk to keep it from rotting. This organic mulch from Amazon is dye-free and organic.

As for fertilizing plum trees, go light in winter. Mariani says, “Light fertilization (nitrogen and potassium) can be applied after the harvest.”

Planting Bare-Root Plum Trees in Early Spring

If Tan’s pie inspired you to plant your own plum tree, winter is the time to start planning. Sweany says, “Plums establish well when planted as bare root trees in early spring.”

Soak the bare roots for 8-12 hours before planting them, condition your soil well with compost, and prune right away to establish a structure. She adds, “Make sure to prune them at the time of planting to allow the central leader to be clearly dominant and 4"–6" taller than any of the surrounding side branches.”

For a good compost, try this one from Coast of Maine, available on Amazon.

Planning for How You’ll Use the Harvest

Mariani explains the difference in taste between Asian and European plums, saying, “Asian plums that are not so ripe can be particularly tart; whereas, really ripe European plums can be cloyingly sweet.”

Both types can work beautifully for baking or eating on their own; it’s all about timing and what sort of taste you prefer.

Tan France’s plum pie moment on Instagram gave us some major inspiration to start a plum tree, or at least go buy a pie at the store if that’s more your vibe in winter.