How to Get Ancient Seeds in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide
Ancient Seeds in Stardew Valley are the key to growing valuable and evergreen Ancient Fruit. Obtaining these seeds can be a challenge, but this guide will break down the process and help you unlock this profitable farming opportunity. You can obtain them by digging artifact spots, fighting bugs in the Mutant Bug Lair, or using a seed maker with Ancient Fruit.
The Allure of the Ancient Seed and Ancient Fruit
The Ancient Seed and the Ancient Fruit it produces represent a significant milestone in Stardew Valley. Not only does the fruit sell for a respectable price (base value of 550g), but more importantly, the plant yields fruit throughout the entire spring, summer, and fall seasons. This allows for a constant income stream and makes it an ideal candidate for the Seed Maker, further expanding your Ancient Fruit empire. The wine produced from Ancient Fruit is also incredibly valuable, making it a staple crop for many experienced farmers.
The Hunt for the Ancient Seed: Three Primary Avenues
Acquiring your first Ancient Seed is often a matter of persistence and a little bit of luck. There are three primary methods, each with its own probability of success:
Digging Up Artifact Spots: This is arguably the most common method, although it relies heavily on RNG (Random Number Generation). Artifact spots, those wiggly worms sticking out of the ground, can contain a variety of treasures, including the elusive Ancient Seed. Concentrate your efforts in:
- The Mountains
- Cindersap Forest
- The Bus Stop
Bug Hunting in the Mutant Bug Lair: After completing the Community Center or Joja Warehouse questline, you’ll gain access to the Mutant Bug Lair. Fighting bugs here provides a small chance of dropping the Ancient Seed.
The Seed Maker Gambit: Once you finally obtain your first Ancient Fruit, you can use a Seed Maker to create more Ancient Seeds. This method becomes reliable after you have an Ancient Fruit!
The Seed Maker Strategy: A Long-Term Solution
The Seed Maker is a crucial tool for scaling up your Ancient Fruit production. Once you harvest an Ancient Fruit, placing it in the Seed Maker will produce 1-3 Ancient Seeds with a very high success rate. This allows you to convert your single plant into a sprawling orchard of Ancient Fruit trees, providing a sustainable source of income.
Planting and Growing Ancient Fruit
Once you have an Ancient Seed, plant it like any other crop. Ancient Fruit takes a full 28 days to mature, regardless of fertilizer used. Therefore, Speed-Gro fertilizer is highly recommended to maximize your harvests throughout the growing seasons. The plant will continue to produce fruit every 7 days after reaching maturity, provided you keep it watered and protected from crows. Be sure to plant your first Ancient Seed in the greenhouse to ensure a year-round growing cycle.
Transforming the Artifact Seed
Upon finding the Artifact Seed, you must take it to Gunther in the museum. He will identify it, and then you will receive the Ancient Seed packet, which you can plant, as well as the crafting recipe to create Ancient Seeds from the Artifact Seed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selling the Artifact: Accidentally selling the Artifact instead of donating it to Gunther is a common mistake and delays your progress.
- Forgetting Fertilizers: Not using Speed-Gro fertilizer significantly reduces the number of harvests you’ll get in a year.
- Planting too Late: Planting Ancient Seeds late in the Fall may result in the plant dying before you get to harvest any fruit. Start as early as possible.
- Ignoring the Greenhouse: Neglecting to plant Ancient Fruit in the greenhouse means you will not have a constant year-round harvest.
- Not Using Seed Makers: Not using seed makers after harvesting your first Ancient Fruit is a missed opportunity to quickly multiply the number of Ancient Fruit crops you can grow.
Understanding the Drop Rates
Here’s a simplified table outlining the approximate drop rates for Ancient Seeds:
| Source | Drop Rate (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Artifact Spots (general) | Very Low |
| Artifact Spots (Mountains) | Slightly Higher |
| Mutant Bug Lair Bugs | Low |
| Seed Maker (Ancient Fruit) | Very High |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best way to find Artifact Spots?
The best way to find artifact spots is to explore areas rich in diggable tiles, such as the Mountains and Cindersap Forest, regularly throughout the game. Using the Hoe to till every tile is time-consuming but extremely effective for finding the spots hidden under grass and other cover.
Can I get Ancient Seeds from fishing treasure chests?
Yes, while rare, fishing treasure chests can contain Ancient Seeds. Improve your fishing skills to increase the likelihood of finding treasure chests. This is a less efficient method compared to digging and bug hunting, but a lucky find is always welcome!
Does my daily luck affect my chances of finding Ancient Seeds?
Yes, daily luck does affect your chances of finding Ancient Seeds from artifact spots and treasure chests. On days with good luck (as indicated by the Fortune Teller on TV), you’re more likely to uncover rare items, including Ancient Seeds.
How do I unlock the Mutant Bug Lair?
The Mutant Bug Lair unlocks after completing either the Community Center or the Joja Warehouse questline. Once you finish one of these major milestones, the entrance to the lair will appear in the Sewers.
What should I do with my first Ancient Fruit?
Your first Ancient Fruit should absolutely be used in a Seed Maker. This allows you to generate more Ancient Seeds, paving the way for a self-sustaining Ancient Fruit farm. Save at least one and use the rest to plant new seeds.
Is it better to sell the Ancient Fruit or make wine with it?
This depends on your priorities. Selling the Ancient Fruit provides immediate income, while making wine increases its value significantly. Wine also takes time to process, so consider your resources and time management when deciding.
How much does Ancient Fruit sell for?
Base quality Ancient Fruit sells for 550g. Iridium quality Ancient Fruit sells for 825g.
Can Ancient Fruit be used in recipes?
Yes, Ancient Fruit can be used in the making of Wine and Jelly, as well as tailoring items.
What is the best fertilizer to use with Ancient Fruit?
Speed-Gro and Deluxe Speed-Gro are the best fertilizers. These accelerate the plant’s initial growth, ensuring the most harvests possible before the end of Fall.
Can I move an Ancient Fruit plant after it’s planted?
No, you cannot move an Ancient Fruit plant after it’s planted without destroying it (unless using mods or glitches). Plan carefully where you want to plant your crops!
Do crows eat Ancient Fruit plants?
Yes, crows can eat Ancient Fruit plants. Always use scarecrows to protect your crops from these pesky birds.
How can I increase the quality of my Ancient Fruit?
You can increase the quality of your Ancient Fruit by using fertilizers and increasing your farming skill. Higher farming skill levels give you a better chance of harvesting higher-quality crops. Also, planting seeds and harvesting crops in the greenhouse allows you to obtain the highest quality possible over the long run.