Year 1 in Stardew Valley can feel like a whirlwind, especially for new players. But with the right strategy, you can build a thriving farm, complete essential bundles, and set yourself up for long-term success. This step-by-step seasonal guide covers everything you need to master your first year.

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Spring: Build Your Foundation

Early Spring (Days 1–4)

• Day 1:
  • Clear your farm and gather wood for a chest.
  • Forage and gather fiber to craft wild seeds.
  • Visit Pierre’s to buy more parsnip seeds and plant everything.
• Days 2–4:
  • Get your fishing rod from Willy.
  • Fish at the mountain lake to earn gold and level up Fishing.
  • Aim for Level 5 Fishing to boost fish sell prices.

Mid-Spring (Days 5–11)

• Day 5:
  • Harvest parsnips (save 10–15 for energy).
  • Enter the mines to gather copper and stone.
  • Build a scarecrow and furnace.
• Days 6–11:
  • Upgrade your pickaxe to copper.
  • Plant as many potatoes as you can afford (ideally 200).
  • Focus on reaching mine level 80 to unlock key materials.

Late Spring (Days 12–28)

• Harvest potatoes to hit Farming Level 6 and unlock quality sprinklers.
• At the Egg Festival (Day 13), buy strawberry seeds and plant them by Day 16 to get two harvests.
• Complete the Spring Foraging Bundle and required fish.
• Finish the Boiler Room for fast travel via minecarts.

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Summer: Expand and Upgrade

Day 1 and Crop Planning

• Use your strawberry profits to buy:
  • One of each summer crop (melon, pepper, tomato, blueberry).
  • Plenty of blueberry seeds for profit.
  • Extra melons for the Quality Crops Bundle.

Community Center Goals

• Complete summer foraging and fish bundles.
• Catch key fish: Sturgeon, Red Snapper, Tuna, Pufferfish, Tilapia.

Upgrades and Progress

• Upgrade tools: prioritize steel pickaxe and axe.
• Unlock Secret Woods (via steel axe) for hardwood.
• Start growing apple and pomegranate trees for Fall bundles.

Other Milestones

• Unlock the Vault to access the Desert.
• Build a coop and barn.
• Set up an oak tree farm to prepare for kegs.

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Fall: Maximize Profits and Efficiency

Crop Strategy

• Plant corn, eggplant, pumpkin, yam to finish the Fall Crops Bundle.
• Split fields:
  • Cranberries = fast cash.
  • Pumpkins = high-value wine.

Community Center Completion

• Focus on the Pantry to unlock the Greenhouse.
• Finish foraging and fish bundles.

Investments

• Upgrade your house for a kitchen.
• Complete Special Orders.
• Harvest hardwood, and use the Greenhouse for rare seeds.

Keg Setup

• Use oak resin to build kegs.
• Turn pumpkins into juice for major profit.

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Winter: Final Prep and Wrap-Up

Finish Bundles

• Complete the Winter Foraging Bundle.
• Find a Nautilus Shell on the beach.

Skill Progression

• Explore the Skull Cavern on lucky days.
• Donate 60 items to the museum to unlock the sewer key.

Farm Infrastructure

• Establish hardwood farms and add tappers to oaks.
• Use winter downtime to fight monsters and gather resources.

End-of-Year Goals

• Finish the Community Center.
• Unlock the boat to Ginger Island.
• Start planting in your greenhouse for Year 2 profits.

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Recommended Skill Paths

Farming

• Level 5: Tiller (+10% crop value)
• Level 10: Artisan (+40% artisan goods)

Mining

• Level 5: Miner (+1 ore per vein)
• Level 10: Prospector (double coal)

Foraging

• Level 5: Forester (+25% wood)
• Level 10: Lumberjack (trees drop hardwood)

Fishing

• Level 5: Fisher (+25% fish value)
• Level 10: Angler (+50% fish value)

Combat

• Level 5: Fighter (+10% damage)
• Level 10: Defender (+25 HP)

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Final Thoughts 🌟

With smart planning and a clear focus each season, you’ll end Year 1 with a thriving farm, a completed community center, and all the tools you need to dominate Year 2. Whether you’re focused on gold, bundles, or perfection, this guide helps you make every day count in Stardew Valley.

Happy farming — and good luck in Year 2! 🌱✨