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<i>Potato</i> 'Francis'
<i>Potato</i> 'Francis'

Potato 'Francis'

potato - first early, Scottish basic seed potato

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One of the earliest potatoes to get going, this versatile first early cultivated variety produces impressive crops of smooth white...

5 × seed potatoes
£3.49 £0.70 each
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15 × seed potatoes
£9.00 £0.60 each
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Plant description

One of the earliest potatoes to get going, this versatile first early cultivated variety produces impressive crops of smooth white tubers with pale yellow flesh and a great flavour. The long, oval potatoes develop quickly and are ideal for gardeners who want a generous harvest without waiting for the maincrop season.

Potato ‘Francis’ is particularly well suited to boiling, roasting, baking, mashing and chipping, making it a true all-rounder for the kitchen. It is especially valued for homemade French fries, thanks to its naturally higher dry matter content, which helps create a crisp, cooked 'chip'.

The plants show good disease resistance and crop heavily for such an early potato, making them a practical choice for both allotments and vegetable gardens.

Plant features

Position

Full sun

Rate of growth

Fast-growing

Soil

Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost

Hardiness

Frost tender

How to care for Potato Francis:

As soon as your seed potatoes arrive, unpack them and if you've time, start chitting by placing them in a single layer in a light, cool, frost-free spot. Begin this around six weeks before planting. While not essential, chitting will help get your potatoes off to a good start, and subsequently they'll produce an earlier harvest. There’s also no need to chit autumn or Christmas potatoes, as these are planted in summer.

First early and second early seed potatoes can be planted outdoors under fleece protection, while maincrops should wait until the risk of frost has eased, usually from mid-April. Autumn and Christmas potatoes are planted straight into trenches or potato bags from late July.

Dig a trench 8-13cm (3-5in) deep and add a balanced fertiliser before planting the tubers 30cm (12in) apart with the shoots facing upwards (if present), then cover lightly with soil. If using potato bags, plant into general-purpose compost with at least 20cm (8in) beneath the tubers.

When shoots reach about 20cm (8in) tall, earth up soil or compost around the stems to cover the lower two-thirds of the plant. Keep plants well watered as this boosts yield and helps prevent scab.

Planting and harvest times depend on the type:

First earlies: Plant mid-March to April and lift 10-12 weeks later (June to early July).

Second earlies: Plant early to mid-April and lift after 13-14 weeks (mid-July to August).

Maincrop: Plant from mid-April and harvest after 15-20 weeks (late August to October).

Autumn/Christmas: Plant from late July and lift from 12 weeks, protecting plants from frost.

Warning

Humans/Pets: Seed potatoes and plants - Harmful if eaten

GOES WELL WITH

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If you just want to grow a few vegetables or have suffered losses with early sowings, buying plants is a great way to play catch-up. Buying plants also allows you to grow vegetables if you do not have the facilities to raise them from seed yourself or whe

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