Winter Seeds are a type of Crafted seed. The crafting recipe is labeled “Wild Seeds (Wi)”, but when crafted, the result is “Winter Seeds.” Mature plants yield, at random, a Crocus, Crystal Fruit, Snow Yam, or Winter Root.
Winter Seeds are one of the season-specific crafted wild seeds, along with Spring Seeds, Summer Seeds, and Fall Seeds that produce crops normally found as forage. While Farming Skill normally increases the chance to grow a quality crop, Foraging Skill increases the chance to grow a quality crop from Winter Seeds. Choosing the Botanist profession will ensure iridium-quality crops grown from Winter Seeds.
Crows do not attack crops grown from Winter Seeds, so the use of Scarecrows is unnecessary.
Winter seeds are a unique crop in Stardew Valley that can only be planted during the winter season. They grow into valuable forage items like winter root, snow yam, crocus, and crystal fruit. But some new players get confused about whether these cold-weather seeds need to be watered daily like other crops. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer the question “do you have to water winter seeds in Stardew Valley?” and provide tips to get the most out of winter foraging.
Why Winter Seeds Need Water
Yes, you do have to water winter seeds every day for them to grow properly. Even though it seems counterintuitive to water crops with icy water in frozen soil, winter seeds are specially designed for the winter climate. The water doesn’t freeze over or harm them.
Here are the main reasons consistent watering is essential for winter seeds
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Promotes growth All plants including magical winter crops require water to grow healthy and strong. Proper hydration enables them to mature faster.
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Maximizes harvest: With daily watering, your winter seeds will reach full maturity quicker and produce a greater harvest overall. Insufficient watering stunts growth.
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Prevents death Water is life for all crops. Without enough hydration some winter seedlings may wither and die before producing anything.
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Boosts forage quality: Adequate water helps winter seeds grow into higher quality forage like winter root and crystal fruit that sell for more gold.
When to Water Winter Seeds
Winter seeds can only be planted between the 1st and 25th of winter in Stardew Valley. During this time, it’s crucial to water them every single morning. Here are some tips:
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Water immediately after exiting the farmhouse in the morning before anything else.
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Upgrade to a better watering can like copper or gold to speed up the watering process.
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Place seeds near a water source to make morning watering easier.
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Use retaining soil for a little flexibility, but don’t go more than 1 day without watering.
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Water on the 25th even if crops won’t mature that day since the full growth cycle matters.
What Happens Without Watering
If you don’t water winter seeds at all, here is what will occur:
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Growth will be severely stunted, taking weeks longer than normal to mature.
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Many seeds may wither and die, reverting tilled soil back to untilled ground.
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Any forage harvested will be very low quality and sell for minimal gold.
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You’ll end up with a tiny fraction of the harvest you’d get from watered crops.
Watering Winter Seeds in the Greenhouse
If planting winter seeds in the greenhouse, the same watering guidelines apply. While the greenhouse protects from crop death, water is still needed for rapid growth and maximum harvests. Here are some greenhouse watering tips:
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Use sprinklers to automatically water crops daily.
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Greenhouse soil retains more hydration, allowing 1-2 days max without water.
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Rain inside the greenhouse also waters crops.
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Forage quality will always be high in optimal greenhouse conditions.
But it’s still best to water daily for fastest growth. Sprinklers are highly recommended for ease of watering.
Using Retaining Soil
While daily watering is optimal, retaining soil can provide some flexibility:
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Till soil, then place retaining soil on top of the tilled spots.
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Plant winter seeds in the retaining soil. It will keep them hydrated longer when watered.
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You can water every other day and seeds should still grow decently.
However, avoid going more than 2 days without watering for best results. Retaining soil gives you a buffer but not an excuse to neglect watering entirely.
Watering winter seeds every single morning is essential for healthy crops that reach full maturity quickly and produce abundant forage. Utilize tools like sprinklers and retaining soil to make the daily watering commitment easier. Just don’t be fooled by the icy chill of winter — lift up that watering can as usual! Your winter seeds depend on it just as much as summer crops do. Stay cozy and prosperous through the cold seasons by nurturing your winter garden with ample water.
Crops Harvested
Each Winter Seed has an equal chance of yielding one of any of the items shown below.
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | 4 Days | Total: 7 Days |
How to Winter Sow Seeds – A Complete Tutorial Guide
FAQ
How long do winter seeds take to grow?
What happens if you don’t water a seed?
Water becomes a critical component of the seed’s ability to germinate from day one. The early stages of your lawn’s growth are absolutely critical to its performance. The fact is if you don’t water your grass seed, you may risk it never growing at all (or perhaps only growing in thin patches).
Do fall seeds need to be watered?
Watering. Do not water fall-planted wildflower seeds until spring. Rain or snowmelt should provide enough moisture for the seeds to stay dormant and prepare for spring growth. Watering in the fall can cause seeds to sprout too early, which could be disastrous if the plants face freezing temperatures.