Stardew Valley is a role-playing farming simulation game that has been released on multiple platforms. This indie game has become well-loved among gamers for its unique storyline, loveable characters, and its totally adorable, pixel art style. The game is a ton of fun and the longer you play, the more you discover.
But, no matter how much time you spend playing Stardew Valley, there are some things that you still may never learn. There are a lot of tips to help make the game easier and more fun, and tips for helping to up the productivity of your small farm. As luck would have it, we're here to share a few with you today. Just keep reading to check them out!
10 You Can Put Chests (And Machines) Anywhere
Although most people stick to putting chests and machines in and around their farm, you're not limited to keeping them there. If you're desperately trying to win over Haley's heart, then you've probably spent a lot of time running coconuts and sunflowers over to her house. But, what if you didn't need to remember to bring one with you every time you went to visit her (or whoever you're trying to marry)?
As long as you don't place them in the mines or in the direct path where an NPC walks, you can put chests and machines anywhere. Chests can be placed all over town and, as long as they're in the elevator floors of the mines and not the actual floors themselves, they won't disappear.
9 You Can Buy Ice Cream Any Time
Each summer, Alex can be spotted working the ice cream stand near the library on the west edge of town. But, in the winter, the ice cream stand is left abandoned and you're not able to buy ice cream... Except that you are. As long as you've got a horse, you can buy ice cream during any season.
In order to buy ice cream when the stand looks like it's closed, just ride your horse over to the stand and park your horse behind it. Then, walk around to the front and interact with it. Instead of receiving your usual message about how there's no one working, you'll be allowed to buy as much ice cream as you want. Who needs Alex anyway?
8 Put A Keg Outside
Although kegs and casks are great machines to have on your farm because of the fact that the wine, jam, and cheese they produce is totally an amazing gift and can get you a ton of cash if you sell it, they can be annoying. If you're like many players and keep them inside a shed or barn, you'll know how frustrating it can be to walk inside to check if they're ready yet, only to find out that they're not and you wasted time.
How can you avoid this problem? Leave a keg outside of the barn or shed. Refill it with fruit each time you go inside to fill the other kegs. That way, when the outside keg is ready for you to harvest, you'll know the ones inside are too. No more wasting precious time going inside for no reason.
7 Check The Shadows
Being in the mines can be really rewarding, but it can also be a little frustrating. If you've ever swung your pickaxe on a rock, only to have it actually be a crab that starts attacking you, you'll know all about how frustrating it can be.
But, there's a really easy way to tell if that suspicious rock is going to be a crab or give you precious resources. If you look closely, you'll notice all the rocks have a small shadow underneath them. If the rock you're looking at doesn't have a shadow, don't bother hitting it because it's a crab.
6 Bring The Coconuts And Cacti Back
After you've unlocked the desert, you'll probably find yourself spending a ton of time in the Skull Cavern, trying to get rich in iridium while avoiding certain doom. But, don't be so quick to run through the desert to the Skull Cavern's entrance!
If you look all over the desert, you'll see tons of coconuts and cacti laying around for you to take. These can be valuable, especially considering coconut is one of the gifts that Haley loves. Even if you're not romancing her, coconuts and cacti can go into your kegs and casks to make valuable wine and jams.
5 Use WASD When Fishing
Fishing is a pretty big part of the game. There's an entire section of the Community Center that requires different fish, selling them can net you quite a bit of cash, and it can be used in a lot of recipes. But, fishing can also be a little bit difficult but there is one tip that can help you just a little bit.
When your character is casting their line out into the water, you can use the WASD keys to slightly change where your bobber lands. If there are bubbles in the water, this can help you to land your bobber right into them.
4 Robin Sells A Calendar
There's a calendar located on the wall outside of Pierre's shop that can help you remember when each NPC's birthday is. This is handy, since giving them a gift can really help to boost your friendly or romantic relationship with that character.
But it can still be a struggle to remember to check that calendar and make sure that you're prepared for each birthday as it comes up. If you're having issues with that, you can go to Robin's shop and buy a calendar that will go on the wall in your own house.
3 Leave Your Crops Alone
Picking crops as soon as they're fully grown so that you can sell them, give them away, or put them into your casks and kegs may be tempting. But, if you want to get a rare and majestic Giant Crop, make sure that you don't pick them right away.
As long as you have your crops planted in 3x3 areas, then there's a chance that your fully grown crops will become Giant Crops overnight. Just leave them alone so that they have a chance to grow! Instead, focus on caring for the animals in your barn.
2 Build A Silo, Then Cut Your Grass
When you first get to your farm, you'll have a ton of various debris all over. From trees and logs to rocks and grass, it'll be everywhere. And although it may be tempting to start clearing it out immediately, you should definitely wait - at least before you start clearing the grass.
If you wait and pay Robin to build you a silo before you start clearing out all the grass, you'll be happy! Cutting the grass with a silo will give you tons of hay and that will save you some money because you won't have to buy it from Marnie. Plus, it'll automatically refill the silo each time you cut grass on your farm.
1 Turn On Tool Hit Location
This tip is one that won't be useful all the time, but you'll be glad you did turn it on in case you ever need it. Make sure that you go to your settings when you first start your game and check the box that says "Always Show Tool Hit Location."
This way, when you've got a tool equipped, you'll know exactly where it's about to hit when you click. That way, if you're trying to move a sprinkler or mine a rock that's located near your crops, you won't accidentally slip and hit one of your crops, destroying it without meaning to.