Among other things, one of your main goals as a farmer in Stardew Valley is to plant and harvest the best crops to help you earn a living. Some crops are more profitable than others, so you’ll have to plan accordingly each season. This guide lists all of the best crops for each season in Stardew Valley for farmers looking to increase their earnings.
Best crops for each season in Stardew Valley
Below you’ll find a list of the best fruit and vegetable crops to plant during each season, in order of their estimated profit. The value of each crop is based on the Stardew Valley Wiki as well as calculations from community members.
Seeds for most crops can be purchased at Pierre’s General Store, unless otherwise noted. JojaMart also sells seeds, but they’re usually more expensive. Note that some crops, like Coffee Beans, can be planted in more than one season.
Best Spring Crops
- Strawberry (Obtained during Egg Festival on the 13th of Spring)
- Coffee Bean (Spring or Summer Crop)
- Rhubarb
- Cauliflower
- Green Bean
- Potato (Chance for multiple yield)
Best Summer Crops
- Blueberry
- Starfruit
- Red Cabbage (Available after Year 2)
- Hops
- Melon
- Hot Pepper
- Corn (Harvest in Fall)
Best Fall Crops
- Cranberry
- Pumpkin
- Grape
- Corn (Plant 1st of Summer, harvest in Fall)
- Rare Seed (Obtained from Gypsy)
Note that Cauliflower, Melon, and Pumpkin have a chance to turn into a Giant Crop, which produces a higher yield than the base crop. Giant Crops can earn you a higher profit, but must be harvested with an axe.
General crop farming tips
When it comes to earning more money in Stardew Valley, you’ll need to consider not only the types of crops to plant, but also when to plant and harvest them to maximize your profits. Here are some tips to consider when planting, growing, and harvesting crops in Stardew Valley.
- Plant seeds on the first day of the season. This ensures that you maximize your crop yield throughout the season, as every day that passes could be days used to grow and maintain your crops.
- Use Fertilizer. Fertilizer will help improve the quality of your crops, which can yield a better harvest. Stardew Valley has six different fertilizers available, each with their own benefits.
- Get a Scarecrow. Crows will munch on your crops when you least expect it. Invest in Scarecrows for your farm to keep the birds from eating your income.
- Get Sprinklers. Sprinklers can help you maintain a healthy, watered crop without having to manually water them yourself. If you can’t get sprinklers yet, upgrading your Watering Can will help to make the watering process more efficient.
Produce can be sold by dropping them into the shipping box beside your farmhouse, or by selling them to Pierre in the General Store. Alternatively, you can also reserve some crops to use for cooking or crafting recipes, or to donate to the Community Center.
If you're new to Stardew Valley or know someone who is just starting out, we've got a series of Stardew Valley beginner tips that can help overcome some of the game's early challenges.