Valheim Farming Guide: Seeds, Cultivator, and Growth Times

Sandbox survival without a farming loop would feel incomplete, and Valheim does not disappoint on that front. The system has its quirks, though, so before you start jabbing seeds into random dirt, here is what actually works.

Tracking Down Seeds Around the World

Plants will not show up at your doorstep. You need to scout for seeds first, and the current pool is short. The five varieties currently in the game are:

• Beech seeds
• Birch seeds
• Carrot seeds
• Onion seeds
• Turnip seeds

Most of these can be picked up across the Meadows, Plains, and Black Forest biomes. Turnip seeds are the odd one out and only spawn in the Swamp, which feels like the game's way of charging hazard pay for a root vegetable.

Plants That Skip the Seed Stage

Some plants in Valheim are propagated directly from their item form, no separate seed required. The list includes:

• Acorn
• Barley
• Fir Cone
• Flax
• Jotun Puffs
• Magecap
• Pine Cone

Crafting the Cultivator

Before any planting, you need the right tool. The Cultivator is essentially a glorified pitchfork, and it takes:

• 5x Bronze
• 5x Core Wood

Once forged, equip it and till a patch of ground. Wait until the soil texture changes, then it is ready to receive seeds. Worth noting: Update 0.148.7 trimmed the usage delay on the Cultivator, Hammer, and Hoe, so farm setup no longer feels like watching paint dry.

Keep the Locals Out

Wildlife in Valheim is curious, hungry, and rude. Boars in particular will treat your garden like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Throw a fence around the perimeter to keep them and other meddling creatures from undoing an evening of work.

Planting and Spacing

With tilled soil ready, place the seed in your hotbar, select it, and drop it onto the dirt. Valheim is picky about crowding, so if you try to squeeze plants too close together, an on-screen warning will block the placement. Give each one room to breathe.

Growth Times and Space per Seed

Every seed has different needs. Plan your plot using the figures below.

• Beech seeds: 3,000 to 5,000 seconds, 4 meters of space
• Birch seeds: 5,000 to 7,000 seconds, 4 meters of space
• Carrot seeds: 4,000 to 5,000 seconds, 1 meter of space
• Onion seeds: 4,000 to 5,000 seconds, 1 meter of space
• Turnip seeds: 4,000 to 5,000 seconds, 1 meter of space

Tree seeds like Beech and Birch understandably need more room and time. The vegetables grow faster and tolerate tighter rows.

One Last Tip Before Sundown

Drop a Campfire next to your plot. It brightens the area after dark, deters some unwelcome visitors, and adds a comfort bonus to your character. Three perks from one block, which by Valheim standards is a fair trade.