French Fingerling

Family: Solanaceae Root Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, golden-skin fingerlings with a softly waxy sheen and a pleasantly nutty, buttery flavor—French Fingerling delivers a gourmet bite straight from the garden.

The slender, evenly sized tubers roast to a crisp, bronzed exterior while the interior stays tender and creamy, ideal for showcasing in simple, elegant preparations. Grow them for their uniform, hand-sized charm and reliable performance through a full 85-day season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of French Fingerling

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French Fingerling Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

French Fingerling’s nutty, buttery pull and velvety waxiness make it a show-off potato: roast hot for that bronzed crackle outside while the centers stay tender and creamy. Keep seasonings bright—lemon zest or mustard—so it doesn’t tip into heavy, starchy sweetness.

Best Uses

hot-pan or sheet-pan roast until deeply browned and creamy in the center
split and sear-flat for a crunchy, lacy crust
toss in herb-forward warm potato salad where the skin stays intact
lightly dressed warm fingerling “gratin” with lots of black pepper

Flavor Profile

nutty, buttery flavor velvety, softly waxy bite creamy interior with a crisp, bronzed roast exterior

Kitchen Pairings

herb butter whole-grain mustard fresh dill smoked paprika crème fraîche lemon zest

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Solanum tuberosum (French Fingerling) and how can I control it?

Late blight (often shows as dark, water-soaked leaf spots that rapidly turn brown) and early blight are the most common serious diseases in potato crops. Start with clean seed tubers, avoid wetting the foliage, and remove any heavily infected leaves early; if conditions are humid and disease pressure is high, use a labeled protectant fungicide and reapply according to the label schedule. Watch for potato leafhoppers and aphids only in early infestations—blast aphids off with water and remove badly affected leaves to reduce spread.

How often should I water French Fingerling potatoes during their main growing phase?

During active tuber bulking (roughly mid-season), keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the soil’s surface 1 inch (2–3 cm) starts to dry, and ensure good drainage so tubers don’t rot. Reduce watering after the plants start to yellow and die back so the skins set before harvest.

How do I know when French Fingerling potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are ready to harvest?

French Fingerling potatoes are typically ready around 85 days after planting; for “new” potatoes you can harvest a little earlier, once plants have flowered. For the best fingerling size, harvest when foliage begins to yellow and die back, and check by gently digging—tubers should have firm skins that don’t rub off easily. Harvest on a dry day, then let them cure briefly in a cool, airy place to toughen the skins before storage.