Your first Spring in Stardew Valley sets up your whole first year. This guide covers what to plant, which crops make the most money, the two dates you shouldn't miss, and the beginner mistakes that cost new farmers the most. No big spoilers.
The basics: how Spring works
- Every season lasts 28 days. Spring is followed by Summer, Fall and Winter, then the year repeats.
- Spring crops die when Summer starts. Before you plant, check that the crop has enough days left to grow. A crop that won't be ready by day 28 is wasted money.
- Crops need water every day until harvest, unless it rains.
- Seeds are cheaper at Pierre's General Store than at JojaMart. For example, potato seeds cost 50g at Pierre's and 62g at Joja, and green bean seeds cost 60g at Pierre's and 75g at Joja.
Spring crops at a glance
Base sell prices (before quality bonuses), as of version 1.6:
| Crop | Seed | Days | Sells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsnip | 20g | 4 | 35g |
| Potato | 50g | 6 | 80g |
| Kale | 70g | 6 | 110g |
| Cauliflower | 80g | 12 | 175g |
| Green Bean | 60g | 10* | 40g |
| Strawberry | 100g | 8* | 120g |
| Rhubarb | 100g | 13 | 220g |
* Green beans and strawberries keep producing after the first harvest: green beans every 3 days, strawberries every 4 days.
- Potatoes have a 25% chance of giving extra potatoes.
- Green beans sell for less than their seed cost, so they only pay off over several harvests.
- Strawberry seeds: in your first year, the only place to buy them is the Egg Festival.
- Rhubarb seeds are sold at the Oasis, which you unlock later in the game.
What to plant first
- Day 1: plant the parsnip seeds you start with. They grow in 4 days, so you'll see your first money quickly.
- Your first income: potatoes and kale are solid early picks. They grow in 6 days, so you can replant several times during Spring.
- Once you have money saved: cauliflower takes 12 days, but it sells for 175g each, the most of any crop you can buy at Pierre's in Spring.
- Keep one of each for the Community Center. The Spring Crops Bundle asks for one parsnip, green bean, cauliflower and potato. Plant at least one green bean and one cauliflower early, so you don't have to wait a whole year for them.
Two dates you shouldn't miss
- Spring 13: Egg Festival. This is the only place to buy strawberry seeds in your first year (100g each). They're the most profitable Spring crop. Plant them right after the festival, and they'll give you a first harvest after 8 days and then regrow every 4 days until Spring ends.
- Spring 24: Flower Dance. A festival in Cindersap Forest, entered during the day. It's a nice event for meeting the townspeople.
Also watch for Salmonberry season in the middle of Spring, roughly days 15 to 18. You can pick wild salmonberries from bushes for free, and they're a handy energy snack.
Don't forget fishing
On day 2, head to the beach to get a fishing rod from Willy. Fishing is a great way to make money on days when your crops are still growing, and it doesn't cost anything.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Planting too late. Count the days. Cauliflower planted after day 16 won't be ready before Summer.
- Forgetting to water. Unwatered crops don't grow that day. Check the weather on the TV every morning: rain means a free watering day.
- Buying seeds at Joja. Pierre's is cheaper for the same seeds.
- Selling every crop. Keep one of each Spring bundle crop for the Community Center first.
- Staying up too late. If you're not in bed by 2 a.m., your character passes out and you lose some money. Plan your evenings.
Quick summary
- Day 1: plant your parsnips, then explore and meet people.
- Day 2: get your fishing rod from Willy at the beach.
- Days 1 to 12: replant fast crops like potatoes and kale, and save money.
- Spring 13: buy strawberry seeds at the Egg Festival.
- Keep one parsnip, green bean, cauliflower and potato for the Community Center.
- Last week of Spring: only plant crops that will be ready before day 28.
Facts in this guide were checked against Stardew Valley's official wiki and other guides for version 1.6. If an update changes something, let us know.