Every spring about this time, I start getting the same question from gardeners all across the deep South: “Dr. B, is it true you’re supposed to plant your garden on Good Friday?” And I always smile, because that question is as Southern as sweet tea at a church picnic.
Let me tell y’all something, like a lot of Southern Garden lore, there’s a wee kernel of truth mixed in with tradition, faith, and a little bit of moonlight. So, let’s dig into it.
The Moon’s Role in Easter
Now, here’s the part that surprises many folks: Easter isn’t on a fixed date like Christmas. Instead, it floats, and not just randomly, either. The timing of Easter is based on the Paschal Full Moon, that’s the first full moon after the spring equinox. Once that full moon shows up, Easter Sunday is the very next Sunday. So, depending on the moon’s schedule, Easter can fall anywhere from March 22nd to April 25th.
That means Good Friday, which is always two days before Easter, floats too, sometimes it’s in late March (before our 90% frost free date in south Mississippi), other years it lands smack dab towards the end of April.
The Good Friday Garden Myth
Now, about this idea of planting on Good Friday, it’s one of those Southern gardening traditions that’s been passed down like a favorite biscuit recipe (sorry another kitchen analogy). The story goes that Good Friday is the perfect day to plant your warm-season crops, especially tomatoes, peppers, and sometimes even okra. Some say it’s because the day is blessed, others figure it’s because the soils finally warmed up enough to get going.
Old-timers used to say that because Jesus was buried on Good Friday and rose again on Easter, seeds planted on that sacred day would “rise up” strong and healthy. Now, who’s gonna argue with that kind of logic?
Science Meets Tradition
Now, you know I love tradition, but I also like to look at what the science tells us. And here’s the thing: Good Friday can be too early some years for planting tomatoes and peppers, especially if we’re still flirting with a late frost. Here on the Gulf Coast and up into central Mississippi, it can be safe, but not always. You want your soil temperatures nice and warm, ideally 60°F or above for those tomatoes and peppers to thrive.
Personally, I like to plant my tomatoes on the 90% frost free date for my Ocean Springs, MS garden, which historically is April 5th.
But I will say this: if the weather’s right, and your soil’s warm, planting on Good Friday feels right, too. There’s something meaningful about digging into the earth on a day of reflection and renewal. Plus, it gives you a great story to tell when you’re slicing into that first homegrown tomato of the season.
Final Thoughts
So, is planting on Good Friday a must-do? Not exactly — but it’s a beautiful tradition, rooted in the rhythm of the heavens, the garden, and the heart. Whether you plant by the moon, by the calendar, or by gut instinct, the most important thing is to just plant. Get your hands in the dirt, breathe in that spring air, and know that you’re part of something much bigger — something that’s been growing for generations.
Until next time, keep those tomatoes staked, those peppers happy, and may your garden be blessed — no matter what day you plant it.
Gary Grows at Heritage Cottage 