Iowa gardeners who stick to the Good Friday potato planting tradition might want to reconsider this year.
With the holiday falling on April 3, 2026, soil temperatures are approaching the ideal for planting, but more significantly, the soil will likely be too wet, following a series of thunderstorms in the state.
In Iowa, appropriate potato planting time varies from early April in southern portions of the state to mid- to late-April for northern areas.
As of April 2, 2026, soil temperatures were at or approaching 50 degrees throughout Iowa, with 45 degrees Fahrenheit considered the minimum for potato planting.
View the current soil temps for Iowa.
The gardening folklore may have its origins in phases of the moon. According to this tradition, flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground should be planted during the light, or waxing, of the moon, from the day the moon is new to the day it is full.
Flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground are planted during the dark, or waning, of the moon, from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again.
The date of Easter changes every year, but is set as the Sunday following the paschal full moon, which is the full moon that falls on or after the vernal, or spring equinox.
Generally, that would set Good Friday during the waning of the moon, the time to plant below-ground crops.
Iowa State University Extension & Outreach advises planting seed pieces cut side down and small whole potatoes 3 to 4 inches deep and 1 foot apart within the row.
Rows should be spaced 2½ to 3 feet apart.
Learn about another gardening tradition: The Three Ice Kings
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