Family's Enthusiasm for Homegrown Potatoes
BBC Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost has revealed that his family 'went mad' for a specific variety of homegrown potato. Speaking on the BBC Gardeners' World podcast, Frost described how the Red Duke of York potato caused a stir in his household, with family members obsessing over its taste while he was away.
The Red Duke of York Variety
The Red Duke of York is a classic heritage potato dating back to the 19th century, celebrated for its rich, buttery flavour. It is an all-purpose variety, meaning it retains its shape well during cooking yet is soft enough to mash, making it suitable for roasting, boiling, and salads.
Growing Tips from Adam Frost
Frost emphasised the importance of selecting the right potato variety from the outset. He advised using organic, disease-free seed potatoes from a garden centre rather than supermarket potatoes, which are often treated to delay sprouting. He recommended placing seed potatoes in a cool, bright location, such as a windowsill, until they sprout, then planting them in a vegetable patch or container.
Family Reaction
Frost recounted: 'Different veggies will taste different on different grounds... 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." 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."'
Potato Categories
Potatoes generally fall into three categories: floury (e.g., King Edward, Maris Piper) for roasting and mashing; waxy (e.g., Charlotte, Anya) for salads and boiling; and all-purpose (e.g., Duke of York) for versatile use. The Red Duke of York is an all-purpose variety, making it a kitchen all-rounder.
Growing and Harvesting
Duke of York seed potatoes can be purchased online for under £10, planted between July and September, and harvested in 10-12 weeks. They require consistent watering and can be grown in the ground, raised beds, or large containers on a patio.
