This article is part of a directory: Stardew Valley: A Complete Guide and Walkthrough

So you've started a new life in Stardew Valley, and you're wondering how to make the best and most efficient farm life for yourself. Look no further, as this guide explains the purpose of each fertilizer and how best to utilize it to achieve the best farming experience possible.

Stardew-Valley-The-Best-Crops-To-Make-Money
Stardew Valley: The Best Crops To Make Money

Farmers looking to make a serious profit in Stardew Valley should prioritize a select few crops above all else.

Crops are one of the main ingredients of Pelican Town's economy — vegetables, fruits, grains — and all could be helped along with some strategic use of fertilizers and soils. Each available type does something a little different, so it is important to know which one is right for which crop or type of plot.

The following sections will outline the crafting recipes (and their sources) for the various types of fertilizers and soils, as well as where they can be purchased directly. However, there are some less-reliable method for finding these items, including:

  • Bone Mills (Quality Fertilizer, Speed-Gro, Deluxe Speed-Gro, Tree Fertilizer)
  • Bundle Rewards in the Community Center (Quality Fertilizer, Speed-Gro)
  • From the Traveling Cart (Quality Fertilizer, Quality Retaining Soil)
  • Mystery Boxes/Golden Mystery Boxes (Quality Fertilizer, Deluxe Speed-Gro)
  • Feast of the Winter Star gifts (Deluxe Speed-Gro)
  • Demetrius's shop at the Desert Festival (Deluxe Speed-Gro)

Stardew Valley Fertilizers

Stardew Valley Fertilizer use
  • Basic Fertilizer: The first kind of Fertilizer that players will encounter is the Basic type.
    • This improves the quality of the soil and needs to be mixed into tilled (hoed) soil before seeds are planted.
    • It will improve the chance of growing higher-quality crops. Place it into the soil before the seeds sprout.
    • Recipe: 2 Sap.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 1
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's from Spring 15 onward every year, for 100g each

  • Quality Fertilizer: A step-up from Basic is the Quality Fertilizer.
    • This adds even more quality to the soil, and further increases chances to grow higher-quality crops.
    • Again, spread on tilled soil before seeds are planted, or before they begin to sprout.
    • Recipe: 4 Sap, 1 Fish (any type). This produces two fertilizers at a time.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 9
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's starting in Year 2, for 250g each

  • Deluxe Fertilizer: The Deluxe Fertilizer is a step-up from the rest.
    • G reatly increases soil quality and the chances of producing higher-quality crops.
      • Deluxe Fertilizer is the only way to produce iridium-quality crops.

    • However, it is costly, and likely a late-game product.
    • Mix it into tilled farmland at any point during a crop's growth, including before seeds are planted.
    • Recipe: Iridium Bar, 40 Sap. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
    • Recipe source: Qi's Walnut Room for 20 Qi Gems

  • Tree Fertilizer: Something a little different is the Tree Fertilizer. It's meant for trees, rather than crops.
    • Once the sapling is planted, place the fertilizer on it.
    • It works in all seasons and all tree types except fruit crop trees. It also doesn't work on Tea Bushes.
    • Tree Fertilizer works with Mahogany Trees and Mystic Trees, but at a slower rate.
    • With Tree Fertilizer, trees can grow in Winter. Otherwise, they won't grow.
    • Recipe: 5 Fiber, 5 Stone.
    • Recipe source: Foraging Level 7

  • Speed-Gro: The Speed-Gro is a fertilizer that, as the name implies, speeds up the growth of plants.
    • Increases crop growth speed by 10%, or 20% with the Agriculturist Profession.
    • This does not reduce or affect the time between harvests on multi-harvest crops.
    • Spread it on hoed land before or after planting the seed.
    • Recipe: 1 Pine Tar, 5 Moss. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 3
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's from Spring 15 onward every year, for 100g each

  • Deluxe Speed-Gro: Like the Speed-Gro, it 'stimulates leaf production,' and increases growth speed.
    • Increases crop growth speed by 25%, or 35% with the Agriculturist Profession.
    • Mix this into hoed soil before or after seed planting.
    • Again, this does not affect multi-harvest crops.
    • Recipe: 1 Oak Resin, 5 Bone Fragment. This makes five fertilizers at a time.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 8
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's starting in Year 2, for 150g each; can be purchased from the Oasis for 80g on Thursdays

  • Hyper Speed-Gro: A step-up from Deluxe is Hyper Speed-Gro.
    • This, like the Fertilizer, massively improves growth speed; by 33%, or 43% with the Agriculturist Profession.
    • Mix it, again, into tilled land, before or after planting.
    • Does not affect multi-harvest crops.
    • Recipe: 1 Radioactive Ore, 3 Bone Fragments, 1 Solar Essence.
    • Recipe source: Qi's Walnut Room for 30 Qi Gems.

Stardew Valley Radioactive
Stardew Valley: How to Get Radioactive Ore

Radioactive ore is the most elusive ore in Stardew Valley, but there's a way to get a consistent supply.

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Stardew Valley Retaining Soils

Stardew Valley soil and clay
  • Basic Retaining Soil:
    • Mix this soil into tilled land, and it has a slight chance of retaining water overnight — meaning farmers won't have to water it again in the morning!
      • The chance is about 33%

    • Can be used before or after seed-planting
    • Recipe: 2 Stone.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 4
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's from Spring 15 onward every year, for 100g each

  • Quality Retaining Soil: The Quality level soil has a higher chance of staying watered into the next day.
    • The chance is about 66%
    • Again, mix into tilled soil before or after planting.
    • Recipe: 2 Stone, 1 Clay. Each instance of crafting makes two items.
    • Recipe source: Farming Level 7
    • Can also be purchased directly from Pierre's starting in Year 2, for 150g each; can be purchased from the Oasis for 200g on Saturday
    • Players with the Beach Farm layout may find Deluxe Retaining Soil in Supply Crates if they have upgraded their Farmhouse only once or not at all.

  • Deluxe Retaining Soil: The Deluxe Retaining Soil will stay watered overnight, 100% of the time. Confirmed.
    • Like others, it should be mixed into hoed land before or after planting.
    • After harvesting the crop, the soil will return to normal; the Deluxe Retaining Soil will persist for multi-harvest crops.
    • Recipe: 3 Fiber, 5 Stone, 1 Clay.
    • Recipe Source: The Island Trader on Ginger Island for 50 Cinder Shards.
    • Players with the Beach Farm layout may find Deluxe Retaining Soil in Supply Crates if they have upgraded their Farmhouse at least twice.

MORE: Stardew Valley: Where To Find All Ginger Island Fossils