Farming Guide: How to Farm in Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid Farming PlannerFor Build 41 & 42 - Plan your survival through agriculture
      
      
      
      
    
Seasonal Planting CalendarSelect a month to see which crops are optimal to plant:

          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
          
        
Select a month to see planting recommendations
Current Season OverviewSpring (Mar-May)Best: Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Wheat, Barley
Avoid: None - spring is ideal for most crops
Summer (Jun-Aug)Best: Tomatoes, Corn, Peas, Sunflower, Pumpkin
Avoid: Cabbage (Jul), many crops in Jul
Fall (Sep-Nov)Best: Carrots, Broccoli, Radish, Turnips, Cabbage
Avoid: Tomatoes, Corn (too late in season)
Winter (Dec-Feb)Best: None outdoors in vanilla
Avoid: All crops - focus on preparation for spring
Crop Growth CalculatorCalculate when your crops will be ready to harvest:

            Select Crop:
            
          

            Build Version:
            
          

            Planting Month:
            
          
Growth Timeline:

          Warning: 
        
Crop Comparison Chart
          
            
                Crop
                Build 41 Growth
                Build 42 Growth
                Best Season
                Calories/Benefits
              

            
                Cabbage
                ~14 days
                ~60 days
                Mar/Apr, Sep
                Low (~20 cal), fast growth
              

                Potato
                ~26 days
                ~100 days
                Mar/Apr, Aug
                High (~80 cal), long shelf life
              

                Tomato
                ~25 days
                ~90 days
                May/Jun
                Medium (~20 cal), multi-harvest
              

                Carrot
                ~15 days
                ~70 days
                Mar, Aug
                Low (~10 cal), good for trapping
              

                Corn (B42)
                Not in B41
                ~120-150 days
                Apr/May
                High (~40-50 cal), animal feed
              

                Wheat (B42)
                Not in B41
                ~240 days (8 months)
                Mar only
                Flour for bread, brewing
              

          
        
Crop Disease & Pest GuideLearn how to identify and treat common crop issues:
MildewSigns: White powdery coating on plants, slowed growth
Cause: Excessive humidity, overwatering, or stagnant air
Treatment: Mildew Spray (empty spray can + milk)
Prevention: Keep water levels moderate (50-70%), space plants
Insect InfestationSigns: Black flies around plants, "devoured by insects" message
Cause: Under-watering, random chance, weak plants
Treatment: Insecticide Spray (spray can + 5 cigarettes + water)
Prevention: Keep plants well-watered, regularly check plants
Devil's Water FungiSigns: Dark patches, plant looks awful, DWF message
Cause: Bad luck, stagnant water, reusing same plots
Treatment: No cure! Remove infected plants immediately
Prevention: Space crops 2+ tiles apart, rotate crops, avoid excessive water
Slugs & Snails (Build 42)Signs: "Slugs present" message, slime trails, health loss
Cause: Wet conditions, no protection
Treatment: Slug pellets/bait, chickens to eat them
Prevention: Plant Rosemary nearby, keep chickens in garden area
Wildlife Damage (Build 42)Signs: Missing/destroyed plants, rabbits nearby
Cause: Rabbits, deer, birds (new wildlife system)
Treatment: None after damage occurs
Prevention: Fencing, scarecrows (especially for grain crops)
Cursed Status (Build 42)Signs: "Plant is cursed" message, constant health loss
Cause: Planting in a bad month for that crop type
Treatment: None - plant will likely die before harvest
Prevention: Only plant crops in their optimal or neutral months

        Disease Prevention Checklist
        Space crops 2+ tiles apart to reduce disease spread
Keep water levels balanced (not too wet, not too dry)
Apply compost/fertilizer each growth stage (Build 42)
Check crops daily for early signs of disease
Remove any dead or diseased plants immediately
Use companion planting (Rosemary deters slugs)
Rotate crops - don't plant same crop in same spot repeatedly
Keep garden enclosed with fencing to prevent wildlife damage
Use a scarecrow for grain crops or fields with bird issues

      
Build 41 vs Build 42 Farming DifferencesKey changes between the two game versions:

        
          
              Feature
              Build 41
              Build 42
            

          
              Growth Time
              Fast (e.g., Cabbage ~14 days)
              Realistic months (e.g., Cabbage ~60 days)
            

              Seasonal Impact
              Minimal - can plant anytime (slight winter slowdown)
              Critical - planting in wrong season = "Cursed" crops
            

              Plant Health System
              Simple - healthy or diseased states
              Complex - 50 HP that decays without care
            

              Fertilizer Use
              Optional - speeds growth slightly
              Almost required - restores 10 HP per stage
            

              Farming Tools
              Trowel, Shovel, Watering Can
              Added Hoe (quick furrow action), Scarecrow
            

              Threats
              Mildew, Insects, DWF, Zombies
              All of B41 + Slugs, Wildlife, Seasons
            

              Crop Variety
              Basic vegetables (Cabbage, Potato, etc.)
              Added Corn, Wheat, Herbs, Tobacco, etc.
            

              Livestock
              None
              Chickens, Cows, Sheep, etc.
            

              Weeding
              Not needed
              Required - weeds stunt growth
            

              Skill Name
              Farming
              Agriculture
            

        
      
Quick Tips for Transitioning to Build 42Patience is KeyCrops take months not weeks in B42. Don't expect quick harvests - plant early and have backup food sources.
Compost is LifeBuild a compost bin ASAP and apply compost once per growth stage to maintain plant health.
Respect the SeasonsUse the seed packet info to check optimal planting months. Don't waste seeds in bad seasons.
Protect Your InvestmentFences are no longer optional - wildlife will eat your crops if left unprotected.

      Quick Reference: Essential Farming Steps
      Gather tools (trowel/shovel/hoe, watering can, seeds)
Choose safe location and fence if possible
Dig furrows on dirt/grass tiles
Plant seeds in appropriate season
Water regularly and apply compost/fertilizer (especially in Build 42)
Check daily for disease, pests, or other issues
Harvest when ready and preserve excess crops

    

Crop	Build 41 Growth	Build 42 Growth	Best Season	Calories/Benefits
Cabbage	~14 days	~60 days	Mar/Apr, Sep	Low (~20 cal), fast growth
Potato	~26 days	~100 days	Mar/Apr, Aug	High (~80 cal), long shelf life
Tomato	~25 days	~90 days	May/Jun	Medium (~20 cal), multi-harvest
Carrot	~15 days	~70 days	Mar, Aug	Low (~10 cal), good for trapping
Corn (B42)	Not in B41	~120-150 days	Apr/May	High (~40-50 cal), animal feed
Wheat (B42)	Not in B41	~240 days (8 months)	Mar only	Flour for bread, brewing

Feature	Build 41	Build 42
Growth Time	Fast (e.g., Cabbage ~14 days)	Realistic months (e.g., Cabbage ~60 days)
Seasonal Impact	Minimal - can plant anytime (slight winter slowdown)	Critical - planting in wrong season = "Cursed" crops
Plant Health System	Simple - healthy or diseased states	Complex - 50 HP that decays without care
Fertilizer Use	Optional - speeds growth slightly	Almost required - restores 10 HP per stage
Farming Tools	Trowel, Shovel, Watering Can	Added Hoe (quick furrow action), Scarecrow
Threats	Mildew, Insects, DWF, Zombies	All of B41 + Slugs, Wildlife, Seasons
Crop Variety	Basic vegetables (Cabbage, Potato, etc.)	Added Corn, Wheat, Herbs, Tobacco, etc.
Livestock	None	Chickens, Cows, Sheep, etc.
Weeding	Not needed	Required - weeds stunt growth
Skill Name	Farming	Agriculture