If you’re thinking of starting a farm in Zomboid, then this guide is for you! In this article, we’ll go over the basics of farming in Zomboid, from setting up your farm to harvesting your crops. We’ll also include a list of resources that will help you get started, as well as some tips on how to manage your farm effectively. So if you’re looking to add a little bit of farming to your Zomboid experience, then read on!
The benefits of farming in Project Zomboid
Farming is an important skill in Project Zomboid, as it allows players to successfully plant, nurture, and harvest crops. It is a great way to ensure a regular supply of food. However, the process is quite involved and includes tasks like tilling farmland and protecting crops from threats.
The benefits of taking the farmer occupation or gardener trait
The player can either choose to take the farmer occupation or gardener trait during character creation, which will give them a bonus to the skill, or they can use skill books and VHS tapes to learn the basics of farming.
| Name | Starting Points | Major Skills | Description | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer | 2 | +3 Farming | Can make Mildew Spray and Insecticide Spray. | Farmer is a rewarding occupation, but it is not the most obvious choice when creating a new character. However, picking this occupation will certainly make farming easier
gardener Trait-4+1 FarmingAble to make the Mildew Spray and Insecticide Spray without reading The Farming Magazine. |
How to level up your farming skill
As your farming skill increases, you can start to see more information about the plants you have. such as their current status, hydration level, growth phase, time to reach the next stage of growth, and potential diseases and infection levels. At level 0, there isn’t much information to learn about crops, and you will have to watch how your plants are doing by looking at visual cues. However, as you gain more levels in farming, you will be able to better take care of your plants and ensure a plentiful harvest. To gain experience in farming, the easiest way is to directly harvest a crop.
Farming experience is gained based upon the crop’s health divided by 2, +25 if the crop is in good condition, -15 if it’s in bad condition up to a maximum of 100 XP. You only gain this experience when the player successfully harvests a crop they planted; no other actions (watering, checking, digging, or planting) give any farming XP.
| XP gained | Health of plant | Bad? |
|---|---|---|
| 50+25 | 100 | No |
| 50–15 | 100 | Yes |
Benefit based on Farming level
| Farming level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | Current growth phase shows the name. Crop health becomes color coded. |
| 3 | |
| 4 | Water level becomes color-coded and shows a bar graphic. Disease (if present) shows the name. Hovering the mouse cursor over the crop shows the water level. |
| 5 | Current growth phase shows the number /7. Health shows a number /100. The water level shows a number /100 including the mouse cursor. |
| 6 | Disease (if present) shows a number /100. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Next growth phase is shown in number of hours. |
| 9 | |
| 10 |
Source: pzwiki
The tools you need for farming
If you want to start a farm, you’ll need a few key supplies. First, you’ll need a trowel or shovel to help you prepare the soil. Next, you’ll need some seeds for your desired crops. Finally, you’ll need something to hold water so your plants can stay hydrated. With these three things, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful farm!
How to sow seeds
To prepare the ground, players need to plow the soil using a trowel. First, dig with a tool and create some plowed land. Then, grab some seeds and open the packet. Right-click on the land and select “sow seed” and water them using something like a watering can. Once the crops have grown, players can then harvest them and use them for food or trade.
Different types of crops
Different types of crops have different ideal growing conditions. Carrots, for example, need more water to start than other crops but can tolerate a wider range of moisture levels as they mature. Broccoli and strawberries have longer growing cycles than other crops, while radishes and cabbage have shorter ones. Different types of crops can be found in stores or by foraging for wild plants.
Water needed for crops
Water is essential for crops to grow. Crops require different amounts of water depending on the type of crop.
It is recommended to grow these crops in an indoors/roofed farm area so that rain does not cause them to lose health from overwatering. The health of a plant determines the size of the yield upon harvest.
Water the crop by right-clicking and choosing “Water -> ”. I suggest you start by watering all crops with at least 50 units. Alternatively, sow fresh seeds while it is already raining. Continue watering in 5–10 unit increments until the crop info box says “Well Watered.”
| Crop | Minimum Water | Maximum Water | Average Days Until Harvest | Additional Days for Seeds | Required Seeds | Days to Rot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots | 35 | 85 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 10 |
| Broccoli | 70 | – | 23 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| Radish | 45 | 85 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Strawberries | 85 | – | 28 | 5 | 12 | 10 |
| Tomato | 75 | – | 24 | N/A | 4 | 10 |
| Potato | 65 | – | 20 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Cabbage | 85 | – | 10 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
Different stages of crops
Different types of crops take different amounts of time to grow, depending on the seed that is planted. The number of hours required for each phase is visible to players with a Farming skill level of 5 or higher.
Crops can be harvested in phases 6 or 7, except strawberries and tomatoes, which can only be harvested in phase 7. Players will only acquire seeds when harvesting a crop in phase 7. Once a crop reaches phase 7, the next phase is “rotten”, with the hours remaining visible in the info window to players with a sufficient Farming skill level.
See the table below for estimates of duration.
| Crop | Seedling (phases 1 to 2) | Young (phases 3 to 5) | Ready to Harvest (phase 6) | Seed–bearing (phase 7) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | 4.2–4.6 days | 6.3–6.9 days | 2.1–2.3 days | 2.1–2.3 days | 14.7–16.1 days |
| Cabbage | 8.6–9.8 days | 12.9–14.6 days | 4.3–4.9 days | 4.3–4.9 days | 30.1–34.2 days |
| Carrots | 4.7–5.1 days | 7.0–7.8 days | 2.3–2.6 days | 2.3–2.6 days | 16.3–18.1 days |
| Radishes | 8.6–10.8 days | 12.9–16.4 days | 4.3–5.5 days | 4.3–5.5 days | 30.1–38.2 days |
| Potatoes | 7.4–8.6 days | 11.1–12.9 days | 3.7–4.3 days | 3.7–4.3 days | 25.9–30.1 days |
| Strawberries | 7.4–8.6 days | 11.1–12.9 days | 3.7–4.3 days | 3.7–4.3 days | 25.9–30.1 days |
| Tomatoes | 3.8–4.3 days | 5.8–6.5 days | 1.9–2.2 days | 1.9–2.2 days | 13.4–15.2 days |
The growing time per phase is configured as follows:
Carrots: 50–55h
Broccoli: 103–117h
Radishes: 56–62h
Strawberry: 103–131h
Tomatoes: 89–103h
Potatoes: 89–103h
Cabbage: 46–52h
The importance of composting
Composting is important for several reasons. It can be used to speed up the growth of crops. Composting is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and fruits, and it also produces homemade fertilizer for your plants.
How to make fertilizers and fertilize your crops
In the event of an apocalypse or other dire situation where food is scarce, you can use fertilizers to speed up the growth of your crops. However, be warned that using too much fertilizer will kill your plants. To make your fertilizer, you will need a carpentry level of two, 5 planks, and 4 nails to build a composter. Fill the composter with rotten fruits and vegetables, and wait for the fertilizer to be ready.
How to combat mildew, insects, and diseases
To combat mildew, insects, and diseases, you will need to spray your plants with a mixture of water and cigarettes. You can also use milk or rotten dairy as a mildew spray.
| Product | XP Gained | Skill(s) | Recipe | Ingredient 1 | Ingredient 2 | Ingredient 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insecticide Spray | 0 XP | none | Farmer OR The Farming Magazine | Gardening Spray Can (Empty) | Water (3 units) (consumed) | Cigarettes x5 (consumed) |
| Mildew Spray | 0 XP | none | Farmer OR The Farming Magazine | Gardening Spray Can (Empty) | Milk (consumed) |
Devils water fungi
The Devil’s water fungi is a destructive plant pathogen that usually preys on already sick plants that have been neglected. If you keep your mildew and insects under control, you shouldn’t have any issues with this water fungus.
To effectively get rid of it, you must uproot the plant. if not, it’ll keep infecting your other plants.
How to build walls to protect your crops
The Log Wall is a sturdy and effective way to keep zombies from invading your farm. By building a fence of these walls, you can be sure that your crops will be safe from the undead hordes.
Log walls are easy to make, requiring only four logs and one ripped sheet, twine, or rope. You can find logs while scavenging or chopping down trees. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your farm safe from the roaming zombies.
How to set up a roof farm
To set up a roof farm in Project Zomboid, you must first gather some supplies. You will need a sack of dirt, a shovel, and some seeds for your crops. Once you have these items, you will need to find a spot on your roof that gets plenty of sunlight. Once you have found a suitable spot, you will need to prepare the dirt tiles for farming by moving dirt into the area and then plowing the floor. After that, you can plant your seeds and water them. Your crops will eventually grow and you will be able to harvest them.
How do you carry dirt?
To get dirt, one must right-click a patch of grass or dirt with both the sack and a shovel in the player’s inventory.
How to construct and use rain collectors
If you’re looking for a way to water your crops during the summer months, consider building a rain collector. Rain collectors are simple to construct and can be a great way to make sure your plants have enough water to stay healthy.
All you need to build a rain collector is: 4Plank, 4Nails, and 4*Garbage Bags.
How to make and use a Rain Collector in Project Zomboid
Does Rain Water Plants in Project Zomboid?
You’ll also need high carpentry skills. Once you’ve gathered all the materials, simply place the rain collector near your garden and wait for it to fill up with rainwater. You can then use this water to water your crops.
How to store and gather water
Water is a vital resource in Project Zomboid, and one of the best ways to obtain it is by collecting rainwater in buckets. To do this, simply place the buckets on the ground in an area where they will be able to catch the rain. Once the buckets are full, you can then use the water to feed your plants. Keep in mind that the water is tainted and not suitable for drinking, so if you plan to drink it, you will need to boil it first. You can also collect water from rivers and lakes, but be sure to fill the buckets all the way to maximize your efficiency. Additionally, you can build rain collectors which will automatically collect water during the rain. Small water collectors can hold 160 units of water, while large water collectors can hold even more. You should aim to build at least two water collectors to keep your crops alive during the drier parts of the year and provide drinking water.
Automatic crop watering system
Do you like to care for plants in Project Zomboid? If you’re finding it annoying and tedious to water them manually, there’s a mod that can help. It’s called Irrigation Pipes for Farming and Water Supply, and it lets you craft an irrigation pipe from a regular pipe plus any hammer and a screwdriver.
You can put the pipe on the ground next to a water bubble, and every field on which a pipe is located will be counted as watered. However, after sowing the seeds you have to manually water the fields at least once,but after that, the irrigation system will remember this value and then automatically supply the fields with a set amount of water. Just be aware that if you have plants that need less water, this system will keep them at their level after rain.
Conclusion
By following a few simple guidelines, you can produce healthy crops and build up your food storage in a relatively short time frame.