Celebrate Pi Day 2023 with Fruits and Veggies from Your Garden!
You don’t have to be a math whiz to love Pi Day. All you really need is a love for pies — both sweet and savory — to enjoy this mathematical expression of a calendar day.
While it can be tempting to delegate baking responsibilities to professionals, everyone knows the best pies are made with lovingly cared for from-scratch ingredients. And what’s more from scratch than herbs, veggies, and fruits from your own garden?
So, this Pi Day, don’t retreat to mass-produced, fake-baked confections. Instead, check out our guide to making the best pies from ingredients found in your garden!
Best Herbs and Spices to Grow for Pi Day 2023
Even if you don’t have a lot of outdoor garden space, you can class up any dish by growing a wide range of herbs and spices indoors. Even better, growing herbs indoors allow you to keep an extra pinch of flavor within arm’s reach of your kitchen prep station.
If you already have an indoor herb garden, you likely already have some of these specimens available. If you don’t, or if you’re looking to spice things up a bit, consider some of our favorite herbs to grow for Pi Day:
- Basil
- Chives
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Sage
- Thyme
Each of these herbs has its place in both sweet and savory pies. For instance, rosemary, sage, and thyme are can be used as chicken pot pie herbs and spices, as well as in apple pies.
Basil, which adds a wondrous aroma to every kitchen, is another versatile herb. Chop it up for pizza — technically, a pie! — or add it to your favorite peach or blueberry pie recipe for an extra oomph of flavor.
Another benefit of growing your own herbs and spices for Pi Day 2023 and every year after is that they are generally pretty easy to grow.
Most herbs need abundant sunshine. So, placing them in a south-facing window is ideal.
To ensure all the herbs are receiving the necessary light, give their pot or container a quarter turn every week or so. This will help spur growth and help each growth receive ample light.
If your south-facing window sits above a kitchen sink, the herbs will also benefit from the additional humidity. All herbs require water and humidity to grow, but it’s also best to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Typically, the best way to tell if your herbs need additional moisture is to insert your finger one knuckle deep into the dirt. If it feels dry, water; if it doesn’t, wait another day or two.
Best Veggies for Pies
Before we get started, it’s important to dispel the notion that garden-grown veggies can only be used in savory pies. Pumpkin, sweet potato, and rhubarb all serve as excellent examples of this culinary phenomenon.
Still, most veggies grown in your garden will likely end up in a savory pie. So, here’s a list of some of our favorites:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomatoes
You may have noticed that this includes a variety of root vegetables. While these veggies need time and care to grow, the result can be very rewarding.
To nurture your root vegetables along, there are a couple of tactics to employ.
First, use a raised garden bed, if at all possible. This will give the roots ample room to grow while also allowing for easier draining.
Additionally, a raised garden bed allows you to control the type of soil you’re using. Ideally, the soil should incorporate sandy loam and peat soil, but not clay.
Most root vegetables need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. So, as you build your raised garden bed, make sure it’s in a spot where it can receive ample sun.
Of course, with all vegetable gardens, it’s important to know your plant hardiness zone. While most root veggies thrive in cooler climates, some — like the sweet potato — need more warmth and an extended growing season.
Best Fruits for Pies
While vegetable-based pies tend to be served more often in colder months, fruit pies are a delight all year round. Nothing says it’s summer like a warm slice of peach pie a la mode, and yet apple pies are an autumnal classic.
Many fruit trees grow well in a range of climates as long as they are well tended to and have access to direct sunlight. Like some veggies, though, they’ll likely need time to mature.
For a versatile, well-rounded assortment of ingredients to feed your fruit pie ideas, consider these fruit options for your garden:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
- Cherries
- Lemons
- Limes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
When it comes to fruit tree care, the name of the game is pest control. Bugs and animals are attracted to fruit for the same reason we are, and it’s common to discover that pests have ransacked your garden’s inventory before you’ve had a chance to taste them for yourself.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide your fruit tree with annual maintenance. Pruning dead branches, plucking fresh fruit, and aiding pollination are typical responsibilities.
It’s definitely a commitment. But you’ll end up with an abundance of beautifully sweet and tart ingredients for pies, jams, and cakes.
Some of Our Pi Day Pie Recipes
We can’t spend all this time talking pie without leaving you with some recipe ideas. So, for Pi Day 2023 and beyond, here are some of our favorites.
First, let’s look at some savory pies and the ingredients you can get from your garden:
- Chicken pot pie with drop biscuits (Carrots, celery, onion, rosemary, and thyme)
- Mushroom and herb shepherd’s pie (Carrots, onions, potatoes, sage, and thyme)
- Quiche with herbs and goat cheese (Parsley, scallions, thyme, and lemon zest)
- Root vegetable Tarte Tatin (Carrots, parsnips, rosemary, sage, and gold and sweet potatoes.)
And, of course, here are some of our favorite fruit pie ideas:
Celebrate Pi Day the Right Way With Ingredients From Your Garden
Don’t let those devilishly charming mathletes hog all the Pi Day glory this year. By using ingredients from your home garden, you can infuse any pie recipe with delicious homegrown goodness!
For more tips and tricks for your garden, bookmark AskWetAndForget.com right now! Our blog is constantly updating with everything you need for a thriving, healthy garden.
