Yukon Gold potatoes are sold by Sandhill Acres of Chelsea, Iowa, during a farmers market in 2024. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Gardening folklore calls for potatoes to be planted on Good Friday, and with the date relatively late this year, the timing could be right.

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 15, 2025, soil temperatures were at or approaching 50 degrees throughout Iowa, with 45 degrees Fahrenheit considered the standard for potato planting.

View the current soil temps for Iowa.

This year, Good Friday falls on April 18, compared to last year, when the date was in March and soil temperatures were lower.

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