Core Keeper: Basic Farming Guide

If you’ve played Minecraft, or any other survival crafter with farming, you likely already know what to do. This is not a master’s guide, but just simple information that hopefully helps someone who needs it.

Step 1. Gather seeds.
You collect seeds from the many types of crops you find in the world, but they can also be dropped by Slimes or found in chests.

Step 2. Craft a hoe and watering can.
You will need both. This can be done at a crafting bench. Better quality tools can be made at higher-tier benches.

Step 3. Plow the land.
With the hoe selected, right-click on a dirt tile to cultivate it. You don’t have to worry about disturbing your farms — they can’t be destroyed by walking/running, fighting, harvesting, etc. You may de-cultivate the land anytime by right-clicking again with the hoe. This will return it to normal.

All plants can be grown on dirt, except carrots (carrocks) — these must be planted on stone.

Step 4 & 5. Plant your seeds and water the crop tiles.
This may be done in whatever order you prefer. You can water first, or plant first, it doesn’t matter — but planted seeds will not begin growing unless they are watered.

Select a seed and right-click to plant it on a tile.

To fill the watering can, stand next to a water tile, select your watering can, and right-click. Your first watering can depletes very quickly, so it is recommended to do your farming very close to a water supply.

Step 6. Harvest!
In about 5 minutes, your crops will mature. They often become vibrant & animated when they are ready, making it very obvious when the time is right. A mature crop can be harvested with one left-click. Unripe/immature crops will not be harvestable with one left-click, which helps prevent harvesting mistakes. Atleast 1 crop is guaranteed during harvest, but seeds are not. Be careful not to waste or runout of seeds.

Notes:
– The root plants will mature on the tile you planted on, and then spread to surrounding tiles. Give atleast 2-3 tiles of space for these crops. They will absolutely grow onto your other crops.
– A watered farm tile will dry up on its own if left unused.
– Crop tiles will always use up their water when the crop is ready. It will need to be rewatered if you plant again after the harvest.
– Without a dedicated gardener, crops DO NOT reliably give many seeds. It is easy to use up all your seeds, harvest all your crops, and not have many seeds left to plant again. Develop your gardening skills and/or go exploring to find more seeds.
– It does not seem water tiles can be used to irrigate your crops. It does not matter how close or far your farm is from water tiles, they still need to be manually watered using your watering can. (i hope there’s a well or a sprinkler in the later game)
– There are 3 basic crops available immediately — bomb peppers, heart berries, and glow tulips. We also found a carrot-type crop and a bean-shaped crop that produces fiber.
– Mushrooms can’t be planted. Maybe there’s a special pot or container for growing these?