How to Grow Fingerling Red Thumb Potato

Fingerling Red Thumb Potato

Solanum tuberosum

vegetable

Red Thumb is a premium fingerling potato variety with elongated, finger-like tubers and deep red skin with yellow flesh. This heirloom variety produces high yields of waxy potatoes ideal for roasting, boiling, and salads. Known for excellent flavor and creamy texture, it's a favorite among gardeners and chefs.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; 1-2 inches per week depending on rainfall. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. More water needed during tuber development. Reduce watering as plants mature.

📏

Spacing: 10-12 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart inches

📅

Days to maturity: 70-90 days for fingerling size

🌱

Planting depth: Plant seed potatoes 3-4 inches deep, with eyes facing up

Soil

Type: Well-draining, loose, loamy or sandy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 5.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir for moisture retention Sulfur if pH is too high Potassium-rich fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8; can grow in zone 9 with cool-season timing

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Growth Stages

Seed Potato Preparation

1-2 weeks before planting

Seed potatoes are cut into pieces (1.5-2 oz each) with at least 1-2 eyes per piece, or planted whole if small.

Pre-sprout seed potatoes 1-2 weeks in a cool, light location before planting. Allow cut pieces to cure 1-2 days before planting to prevent rot.

Emergence

2-3 weeks after planting

Shoots push through soil and first leaves appear above ground. Stems are pale initially before turning green with light exposure.

Hill soil around emerging shoots to cover any green tubers and prevent greening. Provide consistent moisture. Protect from late frost with row covers if needed.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Vigorous stem and leaf development occurs. Plants grow bushy with compound leaves. Underground stolons begin forming.

Hill soil every 2-3 weeks to maintain 8-10 inches of loose soil around plants. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer if soil is poor. Watch for pests.

Tuber Development & Flowering

3-4 weeks

White or light pink flowers appear. Underground, tubers enlarge rapidly along stolons. Foliage remains lush green.

Maintain steady watering—this is critical for tuber size and quality. Provide final fertilizer application. Continue hilling for even tuber development. Monitor for late blight.

Maturation & Harvest Readiness

2-3 weeks

Foliage yellows and begins to die back as plants reach physiological maturity. Tuber skin sets and hardens. Fingerlings reach 3-4 inches long.

Reduce watering as plants decline. Stop hilling. Once foliage dies back 50-75%, potatoes are ready to harvest. Wait 10-14 days after vine death for skin to fully cure.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Cilantro Dill Parsnips Beans Corn Onions Garlic

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes Eggplants Peppers Fennel Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Sunflowers

Common Pests

Hand-pick adults and eggs. Use neem oil, spinosad, or pyrethrin sprays. Deploy row covers early. Encourage natural predators.
Use reflective mulches. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use row covers. Maintain plant vigor with consistent watering.
Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Use pheromone traps. Remove debris and avoid planting in areas with history of wireworms. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil.
Remove affected foliage immediately. Apply copper fungicide or chlorothalonil. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Practice crop rotation.
Remove lower leaves as plants grow. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Ensure good drainage.

Uses

🍳

Roasting & Boiling

Culinary

Red Thumb's waxy texture holds up beautifully to roasting whole and boiling. The creamy, buttery flesh and mild flavor make it perfect for salads, gratins, and simple preparations. [source]

🍳

Gourmet Cooking

Culinary

Fingerling potatoes are prized by chefs for their elegant presentation and premium flavor. Their natural shape makes them visually striking in upscale cuisine. [source]

🏠

Home Storage & Preservation

Household

Red Thumb stores exceptionally well for 3-4 months in proper conditions, making it ideal for home gardeners wanting winter supply. Can also be dried for long-term storage. [source]

💊

Nutritional Value

Medicinal

Potatoes are rich in vitamins B6 and C, manganese, and potassium. The resistant starch in cooled potatoes supports gut health. [source]

🦋

Garden Ecosystem

Wildlife

Potato flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The plant provides habitat structure in the vegetable garden ecosystem. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when foliage has died back 50-75% and tubers reach 3-4 inches long (70-90 days). Dig carefully to avoid bruising fingerlings. Cure harvested potatoes in cool (50-55°F), humid, dark conditions for 10-14 days to toughen skin. For fresh eating, harvest early when smaller. Store in cool, dark, humid conditions (35-45°F) for up to 3-4 months.

Fun Facts

🌱 Red Thumb is a heritage fingerling variety that has been grown by home gardeners for generations and is sought after for farmers' markets due to its premium appearance and taste.
🌱 Potatoes were the first vegetable to be grown in space aboard the Space Shuttle in 1995, establishing that they can be cultivated in microgravity environments.
🌱 Green potatoes contain solanine, a toxic alkaloid, which is why potatoes must be stored in darkness and any green portions should be removed before cooking.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free