Adam Frost, the Gardeners' World expert who began his career at North Devon Parks Department, has revealed that his family went 'mad' for a specific potato variety he grew. In an interview, Frost explained that the Red Duke of York potato 'tastes amazing' and captivated his household.
Family Obsession with Red Duke of York
Speaking on the BBC Gardeners' World podcast, Frost described how his family reacted to the potatoes. He said: 'Different veggies will taste different on different grounds, so some places you'll have to grow really easily, others not. Anyway, this particular Duke of York thing, I grew it and it must have disappeared somewhere and one of the kids said to me 'Where can we dig the potatoes from Dad?' And I said, 'Oh, that bed out there, it's got some Red Duke of York in it.'.'
Frost added: 'I was away for about a week and a half. I came home, nobody said, 'Hello, Dad, welcome,' none of that. All I got individually from five people was, 'What were those potatoes?' That's all I got, that's all they thought about in the whole time I was away, 'What were those potatoes? Those potatoes were amazing.'.'
Growing Tips for Novice Gardeners
Potatoes are among the easiest vegetables to grow, making them ideal for beginners. Frost advises buying organic disease-free seed potatoes from a garden supplies store rather than using supermarket potatoes, which are often treated with chemicals to delay sprouting. Once home, place seed potatoes in an egg carton in a cool, bright spot like a window ledge until they sprout. Then transfer them to a vegetable patch or container, adding extra compost as they grow so only the top leaves are visible to prevent greening and bitterness. Harvest when leaves turn yellow.
The Versatile Duke of York Variety
The Duke of York is a heritage potato dating back to the 19th century, known for its rich, buttery flavor. It falls into the all-purpose category, meaning it holds its shape well but is also soft enough to mash. Potatoes broadly fall into three categories: floury (e.g., King Edward, Maris Piper) for roasting and mashing; waxy (e.g., Charlotte, Anya) for salads; and all-purpose (e.g., Duke of York) for versatile use.
With over 5,000 potato varieties available, Frost's family has a clear favorite. The Red Duke of York is particularly adaptable, working well in various recipes. Potatoes require regular watering and can be grown in ground, raised beds, or containers. A batch of Duke of York seed potatoes costs less than £10 online, can be planted between July and September, and harvested after 10-12 weeks.
