Stardew Valley is a popular farming simulation game where you inherit your grandfather’s old farm in Stardew Valley. The game starts off slow, but there are many creative ways to make money once you get going. Here are some tips and strategies for making money fast in Stardew Valley.
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Choose Profitable Crops
The primary way to make money in Stardew Valley is by planting and selling crops. When deciding which crops to grow, pay attention to profitability and grow times.
Most Profitable Crops Per Season
- Spring – Strawberries, Rhubarb, Cauliflower
- Summer – Blueberries, Starfruit, Hops
- Fall – Cranberries, Pumpkins, Eggplant
Focus on crops that continue producing after the initial harvest like Strawberries, Blueberries, Cranberries. Multi-harvest crops earn more over their lifetime.
Also consider grow times. For example, Rhubarb takes 13 days to mature compared to Cauliflower which takes 12 days. That extra day allows you to squeeze in an additional harvest of faster growing crops.
Use Speed-Gro and Quality Fertilizers
Use Speed-Gro to reduce crop grow times by 10%. This allows you to harvest faster and plant more crops per season.
Use Basic Fertilizer or Quality Fertilizer to increase crop quality. Higher quality crops sell for more money.
Process Crops into Artisan Goods
One of the most profitable things you can do is process crops into artisan goods using machines like Preserve Jars, Kegs, Looms, and Oil Makers.
For example, turning Wheat into Beer with a Keg sells for triple the base price of the crop.
Here are some good crops to process:
- Hops into Pale Ale
- Starfruit into Wine
- Red Cabbage into Juice
- Tomatoes into Sauce
Install multiple processing machines to save time and quickly increase profits.
Early Game Money Makers
Here are some good ways to make fast money in the early game:
Fishing
Fishing is one of the best early game money makers. Aim to catch the seasonal high value fish like Catfish, Shad, and Sturgeon. You can also sell fish raw or turn them into Sashimi for added profits.
Foraging
Foraging is an easy way to find valuable items around town. Focus on collecting seasonal forage items like leeks, daffodils, blackberries, and grapes. Also look for valuable items like coral, clams, and sea urchins on the beach.
Mining
As soon as the mines open, start mining for ores and gems. Copper, iron, and gold ores sell for a good amount. You can also occasionally find diamonds and other valuable gems and minerals. Use your earnings to upgrade your tools and descend deeper for more riches.
Mid/Late Game Money Strategies
Once your farm is more established, here are some profitable late game strategies:
Ranches and Artisan Goods
Build multiple barns and coops then invest in animals like pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens. Use animal products to create artisan goods like truffles, cloth, cheese, mayonnaise, etc. for recurring profits.
Ancient Fruit and Starfruit
Plant an Ancient Fruit crop in the greenhouse once repaired. The plant regrows fruit after each harvest allowing year round profits. Also plant Starfruit in the summer to turn into extremely valuable wine.
Crystalariums
Crystalariums duplicate any gem or mineral placed inside on a regular basis. Use them to mass produce valuable items like diamonds, emeralds, and rubies for easy passive income.
Summary
The key to making money fast in Stardew Valley is carefully choosing which crops to grow each season, processing crops into artisan goods, and supplementing farm income with fishing, foraging, and mining. As your skills improve and farm expands, invest in animals and other passive income sources for huge profits. With smart planning and efficient time management, you’ll be raking in over 1 million gold per year!
