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Haida Potato

Haida Seed Potatoes

Xaadas sgúusadaa

A First-Nation variety originating from the Haida Gwaii region, known for their adaptability to northern climates and exceptional flavour. With a creamy texture and earthy taste, these potatoes are perfect for roasting, mashing, or adding to hearty soups and stews.

This early-maturing variety is ideal for gardeners with short growing seasons, producing a reliable and abundant harvest. Haida potatoes also store exceptionally well, ensuring a delicious supply throughout the winter months.

Companion plants like beans, corn, and marigolds grow well alongside Haida potatoes, deterring pests and improving soil health.

Where Can You Grow Haida Seed Potatoes

Haida potatoes thrive in well-draining soil with full sun and are well-suited for Zones 2-9. They grow well in traditional garden beds, raised beds, and containers, making them versatile for various gardening styles.

History and Historical Uses

In the late 1700s, Spanish conquistadors arrived on the BC coast and traded potato tubers from S. America with coastal First Nations. These are the original ‘Haida’ potatoes: a fingerling type with deep eyes that has been grown now in BC for 225+ years. Though rare they are still valued today for their thick, heavy flesh that is good both boiled or baked. By growing this potato and sharing extra tubers with friends you are helping to keep alive a piece of coastal history.

Canadian Zone Information

  • Zones 8-9: Plant seed potatoes in early spring for a summer harvest.
  • Zones 5-7: Plant in mid-spring after the ground has warmed, harvesting in late summer or early autumn.
  • Zones 2-4: Start planting as soon as the soil is workable in spring and harvest before the first frost.

How to Grow Haida Seed Potatoes

  1. Prepare the Soil: Ensure well-drained, fertile soil. Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.
  2. Planting: Cut seed potatoes into pieces with at least one eye per piece. Plant 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and 30-45cm (12-18in) apart in rows. Space rows 60cm (24in) apart.
  3. Hilling: As the plants grow, mound soil around the stems to protect tubers and encourage higher yields.
  4. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  5. Harvesting: Harvest when the foliage dies back or earlier for smaller, new potatoes.

Saving Tips for Next Year

  1. Select Healthy Tubers: After harvest, choose the healthiest, disease-free potatoes for seed saving. Medium-sized tubers with multiple eyes are ideal.
  2. Cure the Potatoes: Lay the selected potatoes in a single layer in a dark, cool, and dry area for 1-2 weeks to cure. This helps to harden the skins and extend their storage life.
  3. Store Properly: Store cured potatoes in a cool (4-10°C/40-50°F), dark, and well-ventilated space. Avoid plastic bags; use mesh bags or wooden crates to prevent moisture buildup.
  4. Inspect Regularly: Check your stored potatoes periodically and remove any that show signs of rot or disease.
  5. Prepare for Planting: Before planting next season, bring the potatoes to room temperature for a few days and allow sprouts to develop at the eyes. Cut larger potatoes into pieces with at least one eye each before planting.

Certified Organic by
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)

≈ 8-10 items | 450g (16.0oz)

Click here for our Refund Policy

$20.00 CAD
Pre-Order Available

Pre-Order Notice!

Items on pre-order will be delayed. The rest of your order will ship as normal.
Fall orders of Comfrey within coastal British Columbia will ship between September 15th and October 20th weather permitting. For the rest of Canada, comfrey orders will be sent starting March 15th 2027 weather permitting.
Growing Information
Common Name Haida Seed Potatoes
Scientific Name Xaadas sgúusadaa
Seed Count 8-10
Metric Weight 450 g
Imperial Weight 16.0 oz
Height 0.3-0.6m (12-24in)
Spread 0.45-0.6m (18-24in)
Canadian Zone Information 2-9
Growing Difficulty Easy
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Care Instructions

Seed Potatoes:
If you receive your order in the fall or winter you will need to store your potatoes until spring.


Storage: Store potatoes in a cool (not freezing), dry, dark, and rodent-free place. Store in a breathable material like a paper bag or cardboard box to prevent condensation, which can lead to mould. Find an area with good air circulation that won’t dry your potatoes out completely. Check potatoes every 2-3 weeks and remove any that show signs of rot. Potatoes may become soft and wrinkly or sprout in storage. This is normal, simply handle these tubers with care.


Planting: Soil is ready for spring planting when the ground outside is about 7°C. Potatoes should be planted whole. Plant potatoes in holes 25-38cm (15-20in) apart and cover with 6-8cm (2-3in) of soil. A late frost after planting is okay as long as your potatoes are covered.

Organic Certification

We (a small farm) ship every week, on Wednesday!

Pick up available from our farm stand 542 Wootton Road, Metchosin

100% Canadian Grown in Metchosin, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Processed-By-Hand

Certified Organic

Open Pollinated

Non-GMO

Frequently asked questions

Are products sold at the farm?

No.

We do have a farmstand that is open during the season: March/April through to June/July

Will my order have tracking?

Maybe.

We ship all seed packages using Letter Mail through Canada Post.

However, if you order any Sprays, Bouquets, Root Stock, or Tubers; we automatically add protected shipping in a prepaid Canada Post box. These have a tracking number.

How much does shipping cost?

Save $20 when you spend $200

All our shipping fees include a handling fee

$7 Small Envelope 

Orders 0g–7gup to 3 seed packages

$8 Medium Envelope

Orders 8g–15gup to 7 seed packages or ~ 1 Forager Pet Mix

$9 Large Envelope

Orders 16g–21gup to 10 seed packages and/or~ 1-2 Forager Pet Mix and/or rootstock/cutting

$13 Tiny Parcel

Orders 22g–44gup to 22 seed packages and/or~ 1-2 Forager Pet Mix and/or rootstock/cutting

$16 Extra Small Parcel

Orders 45g–135gSeed packages and/or~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting

If you spend $200 this actually becomes free shipping with a $4 discount.

$19 Small Parcel

Orders 136g–500gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes free shipping with a $1 discount.

$22 Medium Parcel

Orders 501g–1400gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1-3 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $2.

$25 Large parcel

Orders 1401g–2500gSeed packages and/or ~ 1-5 Forager Pet Mix/spray and/or rootstock/cutting and/or 1-5 Tuber or JA

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $5.

$30 Extra Large Parcel

Orders 2501g and up

Anything your heart desires.

If you spend $200 this actually becomes $10.

What is your Customer Satisfaction policy?

Mistakes happen and can be fixed. So missing items, wrong items, or even damaged items can be replaced.

We will always work with you to find an appropriate solution.

Thank you for supporting a small team of Canadian seed farmers!

How long does shipping take?

Letter Mail can take up to 5-6 weeks.

Parcels can take up to 1-2 weeks.

We ship Wednesdays which can also lead to delays.

Are all your products 100% Canadian?

Yes. All our non GMO products are grown in Metchosin BC on 3 acres of Certified Organic land!

What is your refund policy?

We are a resolution first small business. That means we would love for you to be happy with our products.

However, if you received a product damaged out of the box, send us a photo within 3 days of the delivery date, and we will provide a replacement or a refund. Please click the link below to read more details about our policy.

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