Where to Get Starfruit in Stardew Valley?
The main way to get Starfruit in Stardew Valley is by purchasing Starfruit Seeds from the Oasis shop in the Calico Desert, available after unlocking the bus. You can also rarely find it in the Traveling Cart.
Unveiling the Starfruit: A Stardew Valley Treasure
Starfruit. The name alone conjures images of tropical delights and untold riches. In Stardew Valley, this vibrant fruit lives up to the hype. It’s not just a visually appealing crop; it’s a powerhouse for profit, a coveted ingredient, and a key component in progressing through certain endgame content. Obtaining it, however, requires a bit of dedication and a trip to a less-than-familiar locale.
The Oasis: Your Starfruit Seed Source
The primary source of Starfruit Seeds lies within the shimmering sands of the Calico Desert. Specifically, you’ll need to seek out the Oasis shop, run by Sandy. This desert haven becomes accessible only after repairing the bus at the Community Center or by purchasing the Joja Community Development Form.
- Location: The Oasis shop is located in the Calico Desert, accessible by bus after repairing it.
- Vendor: Sandy
- Price: 400g per Starfruit Seed
Alternative Acquisition: The Traveling Cart
While the Oasis offers the most reliable source, there’s a chance you might stumble upon a Starfruit or Starfruit Seeds at the Traveling Cart, which appears in the Cindersap Forest on Fridays and Sundays.
- Frequency: Fridays and Sundays
- Location: Cindersap Forest, south of the Farm
- Availability: Starfruit or Starfruit Seeds can appear randomly. The price fluctuates.
- Chance: This is a rare find, not a dependable source.
The Journey to the Calico Desert
Gaining access to the Calico Desert is a crucial step towards obtaining Starfruit. The bus requires repairs, which involves completing a specific bundle in the Community Center (the Vault bundles) or purchasing the Joja Community Development Form. Completing the Vault Bundles requires gathering and donating various amounts of resources found throughout the valley.
Cultivating Starfruit: From Seed to Riches
Once you’ve acquired your Starfruit Seeds, the real work begins. Starfruit is a summer crop, meaning it can only be planted during the summer season. It has a relatively long growing time, requiring 13 days to mature without any fertilizer boosts.
- Season: Summer
- Growing Time: 13 days (base)
- Fertilizer: Fertilizer can significantly reduce the growing time. Deluxe Speed-Gro reduces it to approximately 9 days.
Maximizing Your Starfruit Harvest
To maximize your Starfruit yields and profits, consider the following strategies:
- Fertilizers: Utilize fertilizers like Speed-Gro or Deluxe Speed-Gro to shorten the growing time and fit in more harvests within the summer season.
- Scarecrows and Lightning Rods: Protect your crops from crows and lightning strikes.
- Sprinklers: Automate watering to save time and energy.
- Preserves Jars and Kegs: Processing Starfruit into Jelly or Wine dramatically increases its value. Wine generally provides a higher profit margin than Jelly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players encounter pitfalls when pursuing Starfruit cultivation. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:
- Planting at the End of Summer: Starfruit needs 13 days to grow. Planting it too late in the season will result in crop failure.
- Ignoring Fertilizers: Fertilizers significantly reduce growing time, allowing for more harvests.
- Underestimating Water Needs: Ensure your crops are consistently watered, especially in the early stages.
- Not Processing Your Harvest: Selling Starfruit raw is a missed opportunity. Processing it into Wine or Jelly substantially increases its value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best way to get to the Calico Desert early in the game?
The only way to get to the Calico Desert before the bus is repaired is through completing the Vault Bundles at the Community Center or by purchasing the Joja Community Development Form. There are no other shortcuts, so focus on gathering the required resources or saving up the gold.
How much does a Starfruit sell for?
A regular quality Starfruit sells for 750g. Silver quality sells for 937g, Gold quality sells for 1,125g, and Iridium quality sells for 1,500g. Processing it into Wine or Jelly increases its value even further.
Can I plant Starfruit in the Greenhouse?
Yes! The Greenhouse is an ideal location for planting Starfruit because it allows you to grow it year-round, circumventing the summer-only restriction. This greatly increases your potential profits.
Is Starfruit used for anything besides selling?
Yes, Starfruit is used in the recipe for the Quality Fertilizer and is a liked gift by several villagers, including Sandy. It is also used for the Missing Bundle in the Joja Warehouse, and the Exotic Foraging Bundle in the Community Center.
What is the profit margin of Starfruit Wine compared to Starfruit Jelly?
Starfruit Wine is generally more profitable than Starfruit Jelly. Without the Artisan profession, Wine has a base value of 2,250g, while Jelly has a base value of 1,575g. With the Artisan profession, Wine increases to 3,150g, and Jelly increases to 2,205g.
Does fertilizer affect the quality of Starfruit harvested?
No, fertilizer only affects the growth speed of the Starfruit. The quality (Normal, Silver, Gold, Iridium) is determined by the level of your Farming skill and any quality-boosting fertilizers you might have used.
What happens if I plant Starfruit Seeds outside of Summer?
Starfruit Seeds will not grow outside of the summer season if planted in the regular farm. They will simply wither and die when the season changes. Utilize the Greenhouse or Ginger Island farm to grow Starfruit year-round.
Can I get Starfruit Seeds from seed makers?
Yes, you can use a seed maker to convert Starfruit into Starfruit Seeds, though it is not guaranteed. The seed maker will yield 1-3 Starfruit Seeds.
How do I unlock the bus to the Calico Desert?
You unlock the bus by completing the Vault Bundles in the Community Center. This requires donating a certain amount of gold in various increments. Alternatively, you can purchase the Joja Community Development Form and fund the bus repairs directly.
Are there any other ways to find Starfruit besides the Oasis and Traveling Cart?
While extremely rare, Starfruit can also be found in Treasure Chests while fishing. The chance of finding one this way is very low, however.
Is Starfruit a good gift to give villagers?
Starfruit is a liked gift for most villagers, except for Penny, Vincent, and Jas, who dislike it. Sandy particularly loves Starfruit, making it a great way to increase her friendship.
How important is Starfruit for endgame content?
Starfruit is valuable for completing certain bundles and increasing friendships with villagers. Primarily, it is an excellent way to generate income and invest in high-end items or farm upgrades, making it a useful resource throughout your Stardew Valley journey.