Late potato harvest result of cold spring

Most P.E.I. potato farmers are having to wait to start the harvest because a cold spring made for a slow start to the growing season.

Farmers are a week or two behind. The P.E.I. Potato Board says some plants seem to have fewer potatoes but the overall size of the potatoes is good. Overall yields are expected to be down slightly from last year.

Board chair Gary Linkletter said he would like a bit more moisture on the fields but overall the weather is fine for the harvest.

"September finished off very nice, really between the 6th and end of October is going to be the critical weather dates," said LinkLetter.

"We'd like maybe one day of rain tops a week, and not too much of it, just to keep the soil in condition. But beyond that we need good digging weather. Most growers are pressing their digging schedule into late October this year, and it's going to be a push."

Linkletter said many farmers will be working day and night in the coming weeks.

P.E.I. produces about 1.1 million tonnes of potatoes a year. The harvest should be complete around the end of October.