DUKE OF YORK first early 2kg

Planting Duke of York First Early Potatoes

• Variety overview: Duke of York is a traditional first early potato, prized for its floury texture and rich, old-fashioned flavour. It is ideal for boiling, roasting, and chipping, and performs well in Irish growing conditions.

• When to plant: Plant from March to early April, once the risk of hard frost has passed and soil temperatures reach around 7–8°C.

• Chitting (recommended):

  • Place seed potatoes in a cool, bright, frost-free place for 3–4 weeks before planting.

  • Allow short, sturdy shoots to develop to encourage earlier and more reliable crops.

• Site selection:

  • Choose an open, sunny position.

  • Avoid planting where potatoes or tomatoes grew in the previous 2–3 years to reduce disease risk.

• Soil preparation:

  • Potatoes prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

  • Dig in well-rotted garden compost or farmyard manure during winter or several weeks before planting.

  • Avoid fresh manure at planting time, which can encourage scab.

• Planting depth and spacing:

  • Dig trenches 10–15cm deep.

  • Space tubers 30cm apart, with rows 60cm apart.

  • Plant with shoots facing upwards and cover lightly with soil.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

• Earthing up:

  • As shoots grow to 15–20cm tall, draw soil up around the stems, forming ridges.

  • Repeat earthing up as needed to protect developing tubers from light, frost, and greening.

• Watering:

  • Water regularly during dry spells, especially when plants are flowering, as this is when tubers are forming.

  • Aim for deep, infrequent watering rather than little and often.

• Feeding:

  • Duke of York does not require heavy feeding.

  • If growth appears weak, apply a balanced general fertiliser or a high-potash feed early in the season.

• Weed control:

  • Keep rows weed-free, particularly while plants are young.

  • Earthing up will naturally suppress many weeds.

• Pest and disease awareness:

  • Watch for slug damage in wet conditions and use appropriate controls if necessary.

  • Duke of York has moderate resistance but can be susceptible to potato blight in prolonged warm, damp weather. Good spacing and airflow help reduce risk.

Harvesting, Storage, and Use

• When to harvest:

  • First early potatoes are ready approximately 10–12 weeks after planting.

  • Harvest when plants are still green and flowering, before the skins fully harden.

• How to harvest:

  • Gently loosen soil with a fork, starting well away from the plant to avoid damaging tubers.

  • Lift only what you need, allowing the rest to continue growing for slightly larger potatoes.

• Expected yield:

  • A 2kg pack of seed potatoes can produce a generous early summer crop under good conditions.

• Storage:

  • Duke of York is best eaten fresh and does not store for long periods.

  • If short-term storage is needed, keep in a cool, dark, frost-free place with good ventilation.

• Kitchen use:

  • Excellent for boiling and serving with butter, or for roasting and chipping.

  • Their floury texture makes them a favourite for traditional potato dishes.

Duke of York remains a reliable and rewarding choice for gardeners who value flavour, early harvests, and classic potato performance

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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