Farming in the desert isn’t easy, but with the right tools and strategies, you can turn Sandrock’s barren soil into a thriving agricultural hub. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about unlocking planting, managing water and fertilizer efficiently, and maximizing your crop yield.
1. Unlocking Planting: Meet Zeke
To start planting, you must first unlock the planting system by progressing through the main campaign until you meet Zeke at the Moisture Farm.
- Quest Trigger: Help Zeke with his farm tasks to unlock the planting kit recipe.
- Craft the Planting Kit: Requires basic resources—check your assembly station for details.
Pro Tip: Complete Zeke’s quests as soon as possible to unlock farming early.
2. Essential Planting Materials
Once you’ve crafted the planting kit, gather these key materials:
- Straw: Functions as a planter box; buy from Zeke’s shop, Water World, or the Ranch store.
- Seeds: Purchase from the same shops or collect during exploration.
- Water: Crucial for both crops and machines.
- Fertilizer: Boosts yield but is not mandatory.
Tip: Craft fertilizer cheaply at the Blender once unlocked at the Research Center.
3. Setting Up Your Farm: The Basics
Place the planting kit on your quick bar and activate it within your base to access a new planting UI.
- Planting Grid: Use straw to create straw beds, which act as planter boxes.
- Grid Size: Some crops require multiple squares (4 or 9). Plan your layout accordingly.
- Efficient Layout: Group similar crops together to simplify watering and fertilizing.
Pro Tip: Bulk-buy straw to save time when expanding your farm.
4. Watering: Managing a Limited Resource
Water is a precious resource in the desert, essential for both crops and machines.
- Watering Requirements: Each straw square needs 2 units of water for full hydration (6–7 days).
- Alternative Power Sources: Unlock the Fire-Fueled Generator at the Research Center to reduce water consumption for machines.
Tip: Prioritize watering high-yield crops first to maximize returns.
5. Using Fertilizer: Boosting Your Yield
Fertilizer isn’t required but significantly increases your crop yield.
- Application: Use the fourth button in the planting UI to apply.
- Crafting: Produce fertilizer at the Blender to save on costs.
Tip: Focus fertilizer use on high-value crops to maximize profit.
6. Harvesting and Soil Quality
- Growth Timer: Check the countdown above the water and fertilizer bars.
- Soil Improvement: Repeated planting on the same soil improves its quality, boosting yields.
- Crop Rotation: Use the same straw beds repeatedly for maximum efficiency.
Pro Tip: Harvest promptly to prevent crop withering.
7. Removing Crops and Reclaiming Land
- Use the Shovel: Clear crops and soil with the shovel if you need to reclaim space.
- Reallocate Land: Replace unused beds with machines or other structures as needed.
Tip: Keep a few empty beds ready for high-demand crops during commissions.
8. Efficient Water Management Tips
- Craft Dew Collectors: Unlock at the Research Center to gather water passively.
- Stock Up: Buy water in bulk during sales at Water World.
- Alternate Water Sources: Use dregs and power crystals in generators to save water.
Pro Tip: Prioritize crafting dew collectors to reduce water reliance.
9. Maximizing Your Farm’s Efficiency
- Plan Ahead: Use the calendar to track crop cycles and upcoming missions requiring crops.
- Focus on High-Demand Crops: Coffee Tea Trees and Jud Cantaloop Trees are frequently requested.
- Optimize Fertilizer Use: Apply primarily to high-value crops.
Tip: Build additional storage boxes to keep seeds and harvested crops organized.
Conclusion: Building a Thriving Farm
Efficient farming in My Time at Sandrock requires a balance of resource management and smart planning. Unlock the planting kit early, focus on high-demand crops, and invest in alternative power sources to save water.
With these tips, you’ll transform your barren plot into a productive farm in no time.
Happy planting, builder!
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