# I Grew Potatoes in Supermarket Paper Bags — Here’s What Happened Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGxSRVlZ-Mg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/SGxSRVlZ-Mg Generated: 2025-11-25T12:35:33.49+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The potatoes grown in repurposed supermarket paper bags yielded a successful harvest of 6.546 kg (14.4 pounds) after 14 weeks, proving that the bags are a viable, sustainable, and practical method for growing potatoes, even surviving unexpected hail and heat. **Key Points:** - The experiment successfully grew potatoes (Sebago, Pontiac, and White Star varieties) in repurposed supermarket paper bags over 14 weeks. - The total harvest yielded 6.546 kg (14.4 pounds) of potatoes. - The paper bags, made from craft paper with water-based, biodegradable glues, held up well, only requiring the bags to be split open to remove the potatoes. - The watering method utilized the black plastic trays beneath the bags as a wicking system, ensuring consistent moisture. - The soil mix used was a quality potting mix with added Ocean2Earth compost for nutrients, avoiding synthetic fertilizers. - The grower found that the Pontiac potatoes were generally larger than the Sebago potatoes, though some of the largest potatoes rotted in the bag. - The grower plans to reuse the paper bags and compost for future plantings, promoting sustainability. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The creator displays a large handful of freshly harvested potatoes, showing a mix of light-skinned \(likely Sebago/White Star\) and red-skinned \(likely Pontiac\) varieties, demonstrating the success of the paper bag growing method.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-00-03.png) **Context:** The video documents a gardening experiment where the creator, Mark from Self Sufficient Me, tests the viability of growing potatoes inside repurposed supermarket paper bags instead of traditional containers or in-ground planting. This method is presented as an environmentally friendly alternative, utilizing materials like paper bags that might otherwise be discarded, and incorporating a self-watering/wicking tray system for consistency. ## Detailed Analysis The creator harvested potatoes grown for 14 weeks inside repurposed supermarket paper bags, yielding a total of 6.546 kg (14.4 pounds). He notes that the paper bags, made from craft paper with biodegradable glues, held up surprisingly well, only splitting open when harvested. The potatoes survived adverse weather, including hail and heat. The growing setup used black plastic trays under the bags to act as a wicking system, providing consistent moisture. The planting medium consisted of a quality potting mix supplemented with Ocean2Earth compost. The harvest included three varieties: Sebago, Pontiac, and White Star. The creator observed that the Pontiac potatoes generally grew larger than the Sebago potatoes, although a few of the largest potatoes in the batch had rotted. The spent soil and bags are planned to be composted and reused. The video concludes with the grower demonstrating the final yield and encouraging viewers to check out links for Epic Gardening products where a sale is running. ### Potato Variety and Planting - Planted 14 bags with Sebago, Pontiac, and White Star potatoes - Seed potatoes placed on top of a base layer of soil mix - Soil was topped up with more mix and Ocean2Earth compost. ### Growing Conditions and Maintenance - Plants were kept in full sun on a bench against a wall - The trays beneath the bags functioned as a wicking system to maintain hydration - Plants successfully survived hail and heat waves. ### Harvest Results - Total harvest weighed 6.546 kg (14.4 pounds) - Pontiac potatoes were generally larger than Sebago potatoes - A few large potatoes rotted, but overall the result was considered successful given the method. ### Post-Harvest Disposal - Spent soil and decomposed bags were dumped into a wheelbarrow to be added to a raised garden bed as compost and soil enhancer. ### Promotional Content - The creator mentions a Black Friday sale at Epic Gardening offering 25% off most items, plus a free seed bundle with $100+ orders, providing links below. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The creator shows the initial successful harvest of mixed Sebago, Pontiac, and White Star potatoes, dirtied but intact.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:25: Close-up of the creator adding soil mix over seed potatoes planted in a supermarket paper bag.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-00-25.png) ![Screenshot at 00:39: The potato plants at 6 weeks old, being watered in their paper bag containers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-00-39.png) ![Screenshot at 04:00: Hailstones visible on the soil surface inside one of the potato bags, illustrating the harsh weather the plants endured.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-04-00.png) ![Screenshot at 14:44: A large pile of harvested potatoes, sorted by type \(yellow/white and red\) spread out on a mesh drying rack.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SGxSRVlZ-Mg/00-14-44.png)