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So you've started a new life in Stardew Valley, and you're wondering how to make the best and most efficient farm life for yourself. Look no further, as this guide explains the purpose of each fertilizer and how best to utilize it to achieve the best farming experience possible.

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Crops are one of the main ingredients of Pelican Town's economy - vegetables, fruits, grains - and all could be helped along with some strategic use of fertilizers, and soils. Each available type does something a little different, so it is important to know which one is right for which crop or type of plot.

Fertilizers

Stardew Valley Fertilizer use
  • Basic Fertilizer: The first kind of Fertilizer that players will encounter is the Basic type. This improves the quality of the soil and needs to be mixed into tilled (hoed) soil. It will improve the chance of growing quality crops, too. Place it into the soil before the seeds sprout. Recipe: 2 Sap.
  • Quality Fertilizer: A step-up from Basic is the Quality Fertilizer. This adds even more quality to the soil, and further increases chances to grow quality veggies. Again, spread on tilled soil before seeds start to sprout. Recipe: 2 Sap, 1 Fish (any type).
  • Tree Fertilizer: Something a little different is the Tree Fertilizer. Once the sapling is planted, place the fertilizer on it. It works in all seasons and all tree types except fruit crop trees. Recipe: 5 Fiber, 5 Stone.
  • Speed-Gro: The Speed-Gro is a fertilizer that...speeds up the growth of plants. Officially it increases it by 10% minimum. This does not reduce or affect the time between harvests (on multi-harvest crops). Spread it on hoed land. Recipe: 1 Pine Tar, 1 Clam. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
  • Deluxe Speed-Gro: Like the Speed-Gro, it 'stimulates leaf production,' and increases growth rates by a minimum of 25%. Mix this into hoed soil. Again, this does not affect multi-harvest crops. Recipe: Oak Resin, Coral. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
  • Deluxe Fertilizer: The Deluxe Fertilizer is a step-up from the rest - it greatly increases soil quality and the chances of producing quality crops. However, it is costly, and likely a late-game product. Mix it into tilled farmland. Recipe: Iridium Bar, 40 Sap. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
  • Hyper Speed-Gro: A step-up from Deluxe is the Hyper Speed-Gro. This, like the Fertilizer, massively improves growth by at least 33%. Mix it, again, into tilled land. Note: this recipe must be bought from Qi's Walnut Room for 30 Gems. Recipe: Radioactive Ore, 3 Bone Fragments, Solar Essence.

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Soils

Stardew Valley soil and clay
  • Basic Retaining Soil: Mix this soil into tilled land, and it has a slight chance of retaining water overnight - meaning farmers won't have to water it again in the morning! Recipe: 2 Stone.
  • Quality Retaining Soil: The Quality level soil has a higher chance of staying watered into the next day. Again, mix into tilled soil. Recipe: 2 Stone, 1 Clay. Each instance of crafting makes two items.
  • Deluxe Retaining Soil: The Deluxe Retaining Soil will stay watered overnight. Confirmed. Like others, it should be mixed into hoed land. Recipe: 3 Fiber, 5 Stone, 1 Clay. The recipe is obtained from the Island Trader on Ginger Island for 50 Cinder Shards.

Stardew Valley is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Mobile.

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