Duke of York Potatoes | Everything You Should Know

Sharing is caring!

This guide covers everything about the Duke of the York and the red duke of the York potatoes. History and important characteristics of these potatoes and how to grow them. Moreover, delicious recipes for these potatoes have also been discussed here. Let’s get started

The scientific name of the Duke of York potatoes is Solanum tuberosum. 

 red duke of the York potato

Historical Background

Duke of York potatoes is a heritage variety that was first established in 1891 by William Sim of Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Physical properties

It is oval in shape with a fine taste and is highly regarded for its traditional good taste. These potatoes are famous for their pale yellow and creamy tubers and are considered perfect for all uses i.e, salad, roasting, chips, mash, etc.

This potato is considered an all-rounder in cooking. Also, this potato is known as the first early potato. 

Types of Potatoes:

As we know that the potatoes are divided into three types depending on the plantation season

Early Season Potatoes:

Early season potatoes are planted between February and April and harvested in June-July. Generally, their maturity period is 70-90 days. 

Mid-Season Potatoes:

Mid-season potatoes are planted between June-July and their maturity period is about 90-110 days.

Late Season Potatoes:

Late-season potatoes are planted in late summer. Because their maturity period is about 120-135 days.

Growth Facts

If we look at these potatoes according to this classification, these are included in Early Season Potatoes. These potatoes can be harvested early and their growing period can be increased to gain more variety in taste. You can store them for later use also. They must be stored in a cool place.

Red Duke of York Potatoes

Duke of York potatoes has wide varieties. Although one of the best varieties which is even better than the original one is known as the red duke of the york potatoes. 

Historical Background

The red duke of york potato was first introduced in 1942. 

Physical Properties

These are small and oval in shape. But these can be grown longer if anyone wants to. The red duke of york potatoes have red skin. Hence their red skin makes them look attractive while cooking. Basically, these are dry potatoes, and surprisingly during cooking, they maintain their color and shape.

This variety of potatoes has eyes on the skin which are shallow. These are easy to cook and their flesh has white-yellow color. Also, the red duke of york potato is better in taste than the duke of York potatoes. Because of their great taste, these potatoes have won the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society.

Growth facts

From a scientific point of view, these are not very beneficial varieties because they have meager resistance to diseases. But if care is provided, these are still more valuable due to their super quality, fine taste, and high yield. 

If you want to grow red duke of york potatoes safely, you can use many measures like planting them in potato plastic bags and using pesticides and insecticides. 

The red duke of york potato has a very high rate of growth. Therefore they should be grown in moist, fertile, and well-drained soil.

How to Plant Red Duke of York Potatoes

The Red Duke of York potato is planted from early February to April. Red duke of york potato can be grown after “chit” or without “chit” because chitting takes time. However, at the industrial level chitting is not preferable as they don’t want to consume time on these things.

Chitting of Seed Potatoes

Chitting is a process in which seed potatoes are given time to grow before plantation. It is a vital process in forcing the seed potatoes to grow although it is time taking process.  

Duration and timing of chitting

The chitting is done before 4-6 weeks of planting. It is best to do chitting at the start of February. In mid-March, the plantation of the red duke of york potato can proceed. Because in March-April the soil temperature becomes 6-7 degrees and it is perfect for the planting of the red duke of York potato.

The procedure of Chitting

You have to follow these steps for chitting

Buy seed potatoes

You can buy a good variety of seed potatoes from a nursery. Also, there are many online shops selling good varieties of seed potatoes. Besides, you can also buy them online from trusted shops. 

Organizing seed potatoes

In the next step, you have to organize the seed potatoes. While seed potatoes can be organized for chitting by using egg trays or containers

You can place the seed potatoes in an egg tray so that the side with more eye buds should face the upward side. Hence the other end should be on the downward side.

The container with partitions can also be used for seed arrangement. Because the main goal is to provide air spaces between the seed potatoes of the red duke of York potatoes. As a result, it will not become moldy.

Location for Seed Potatoes Chitting

The best location for chitting of seed potatoes must contain;

  • Light
  • Dryness
  • Cool to a moderately warm temperature (7-8 degrees)

If a location with these conditions is approachable, then it’s great. Otherwise, a greenhouse is also a good option. The seed potatoes of the red duke of york potatoes can not be grown in high temperatures moreover the source of light should not be direct.

Regular Care

You must regularly check your seed potatoes in order to keep them healthy and fine. Also check whether every condition mentioned above is fulfilled or not during the chitting period. Eventually, if a seed potato looks unhealthy or moldy, at this point withdraw it from the tray and throw it away.

Plantation of Seed Potatoes

After 4-6 weeks of chitting, now the potatoes can be planted. Afterward, the following conditions must be fulfilled to plant red duke of york potato:

  • Soil is moist and well drained
  • The soil must not be under plantation for successive two years
  • The location is in full sun
  • Fill the soil with organic manure

After fulfilling these conditions, plant the potatoes in the soil.

You can follow these steps for the plantation

  1. Dig trenches of about 10 cm in depth in a row
  2. The space between each trench should be 30cm
  3. The space between each row should be 60cm
  4. Place potatoes in each trench in a row
  5. Refill the trench with soil
  6. When the shoots reach the length of 20cm, put more soil around the potato trench
  7. Repeat this process after every 3-4 weeks
  8. Regularly check the potatoes rows, and clear them from weeds
  9. Water them regularly
  10. Approximately, after 10-12 weeks, the first early crop of the red duke of york potatoes can be obtained and harvested

How long do Red Duke of York potatoes take to grow?

According to a survey, if the best conditions are provided to these Potatoes, approximately 14 weeks are enough for their growth. Further, the chitting of Red Duke of York Potatoes requires about 4 weeks and planting requires about 10 weeks as discussed above.

When to harvest Duke of York potatoes?

This Potato is the first early crop. Therefore it is planted from February to April and harvested between May-July.

Duke of the york potato uses?

The Duke of the York Potato can be used in

  • Boiling
  • Baking
  • Sautéing
  • Roasting
  • Chips
  • Salad

Enlist Some Duke of the York Potato recipes.

As mentioned earlier, the Duke of York potato is an all-rounder when it comes to cooking. Also, there are many recipes for these Potatoes, but we will enlist some delicious and famous recipes for Duke of York Potatoes:

  1. Red Duke of York – Honey and Rosemary Roast Potatoes
  2. Roast Duke of York
  3. Golden Roast Potatoes
  4. Cuttlefish with Red Duke of York Potatoes

1. Red Duke of York – Honey and Rosemary Roast Potatoes:

  • Peel the Duke of York Potato and boil them for 10 minutes.
  • Now, heat the olive oil and mix honey in it.
  • After that, mix the potato in it with onion and rosemary.
  • Place it in the oven at 224 degrees for 40 minutes.
  • The dish is ready.

2. Simple Roast Duke of York

  • Peel the Duke of York Potatoes and boil them in salted water.
  • Now heat the oil.
  • After that Put the boiled and dried Duke of York Potatoes in it.
  • Fry them and the dish is ready.

3. Golden Roast Potatoes

  • First of all, boil the Duke of York potatoes.
  • Dry and freeze them for a month.
  • Put the goose fat in the oven to heat.
  • When it’s really hot, remove it from the oven.
  • Add it to frozen Potatoes.
  • Roast this mixture for 1 hour with the continuous turning of the sides of the potatoes.
  • When the Duke of York becomes golden, transfer them to serve.

4. Cuttlefish with Duke of York Potatoes

  • Peel and cut the Duke of York Potatoes.
  • Cook onion and garlic in olive oil.
  • Add tomato puree, and saffron and cook them.
  • Now add fish stock and season them.
  • Cut the cuttlefish into pieces.
  • Add the cuttlefish and potato to the fish stock.
  • Simmer them until the Duke of York Potatoes become tender.
  • When the sauce becomes thick, the dish is ready.

Sources

https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/potato-duke-of-york/classid.2000006318/

https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/vegetable/potatoes/variety-red-duke-york.php

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/solanum-tuberosum-red-duke-of-york/

Sharing is caring!

Wajahat Badar

I am an enthusiastic and passionate gardener who is interested in both traditional and modern methods of plantation and improving home living. Living green is the revolutionary lifestyle that all nature lovers require.

Recent Posts