When is the potato harvest, and where are the potato fields?

Good afternoon from Prince Edward Island,

Thank you for your inquiry to Ask an Islander about PEI potatoes.

In mid-July, new potatoes are harvested and shipped by some producers to markets in Atlantic Canada. Farm stands are also a common sight. Each year, the first feed of these tasty sweet morsels is such a treat and ranks up there with the first feed of lobster in spring. For me, the best way to cook new potatoes is boiled with skins on and served with ADL butter, salt and pepper.

In PEI, the main potato crop is harvested starting in September. Producers begin to ship to all markets at this time, with round white, red and yellow varieties often available first and russet varieties available later into October. Approximately 60 per cent of Prince Edward Island potatoes are destined for processing, 30 percent go to the fresh market through retail or food service, while 10 percent are grown for seed purposes.  

Potato farms are located in rural communities across Prince Edward Island. However, you will find concentrations in the rural communities of Tyne Valley, O'Leary, Kensington, Kinkora, Cardigan, Vernon Bridge and Rollo Bay, to name only a few. With over 86,000 acres of potatoes grown here, it is not difficult to find nearby fields.

PEI Farm Tour offers some more great information on PEI potatoes with videos on planting, growing and harvesting. This organization also works with producers across the Island to display crop signs in fields so that residents and visitors can identify crops and learn how food gets from farm gate to food plate. It's easiest to identify a potato field when in full bloom, 

or once harvesting begins with tractors, harvesters and trucks. 

You may enjoy browsing our Potato recipes and be sure to keep in touch by signing up for our Tourism PEI newsletter. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Verna Lynne Weeks