Farming is a core mechanic in Aloft, allowing players to grow crops and raise animals to gather essential resources for survival, crafting, and cooking. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about farming in Aloft, from setting up your first plot to managing animals and maximizing resource efficiency.
1. Getting Started with Farming in Aloft
1.1 Unlocking Farming Plots
To start farming, you’ll need to unlock Farming Plots by finding Knowledge Stones in the Emerald Isles biome. The earliest plot you can unlock is the Rustic Farming Plot, which requires basic materials like wood and rope to craft .
1.2 Crafting a Compost Bin
The Compost Bin is essential for creating soil, which is required for larger farming plots. To craft it, you’ll need:
- 5 Carved Wood
- 1 Rope
- 1 Sharp Stone
Once built, add Manure (collected from animals) to the bin and convert it into soil.
1.3 Tilling the Soil
Use a Stone Dorkip (crafted with 2 Wood, 1 Sharp Stone, and 1 Rope) to till the soil in your farming plots. Tilled soil is ready for planting seeds.
2. Growing Crops
2.1 Planting Seeds
Seeds can be found by harvesting wild crops on islands or by grinding crops in a Millstone. Each crop has specific requirements and benefits:
| Crop | Location | Plants per Seed | Regrowth? | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | Emerald Isles | 1 | Yes | Cooking, Health Boost |
| Corn | Emerald Isles | 4 | Yes | Cooking, Animal Feed |
| Tomato | Emerald Isles | 4 | Yes | Cooking, Health Boost |
| Pumpkin | Fallen Heights | 4 | Yes | Cooking, Health Boost |
| Carrot | Red Cliffs | 4 | Yes | Cooking, Health Boost |
| Potato | Red Cliffs | 4 | Yes | Cooking, Health Boost |
| Flax | Fallen Heights | 4 | No | Crafting (Rope, Cloth) |
| Sugar Beet | Emerald Isles | 4 | No | Crafting (Sugar) |
| Coffee | Emerald Isles | 4 | No | Cooking, Stamina Boost |
2.2 Watering Crops
Crops need water to grow. Use a Leaf Bucket (crafted with 2 Leaf Cloth and 1 Rope) to collect Dirty Water from ponds or streams. Water your crops regularly to ensure healthy growth.
2.3 Harvesting Crops
Most crops can be harvested with a Sickle, while others (like blueberries and tomatoes) can be picked by hand. Harvested crops provide raw materials for cooking and crafting, and some may yield additional seeds for replanting.
3. Raising Animals
3.1 Finding and Taming Animals
Animals are scattered across different biomes and can be tamed by feeding them their preferred food:
| Animal | Biome | Food | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep | Emerald Isles | Hay | Wool (requires Shears) |
| Alpaca | Emerald Isles | Hay | Wool (requires Shears) |
| Pheasant | Fallen Heights | Grain | Feathers, Eggs |
| Goat | Red Cliffs | Hay | Milk (requires Bucket) |
To craft Hay, combine 3 Small Plants at a Workbench. For Grain, grind seeds in a Millstone.
3.2 Caring for Animals
- Feeding: Animals must be fed regularly to produce resources. Use a Trough (unlocked in Fallen Heights) to automate feeding.
- Collecting Resources: Use tools like Shears (for wool) and Leaf Buckets (for milk) to gather resources from animals.
3.3 Restoring Ecosystems
Animals play a crucial role in restoring the ecosystem of corrupted islands. Transport animals from healthy islands to corrupted ones to help balance the ecosystem.
4. Maximizing Resource Efficiency
4.1 Crop Rotation
Plant a mix of crops that regrow (e.g., blueberries, tomatoes) and those that don’t (e.g., flax, sugar beets) to maintain a steady supply of resources.
4.2 Composting
Use Manure from animals to create soil in your Compost Bin. This ensures you always have enough soil for new farming plots.
4.3 Cooking and Crafting
Convert raw crops into meals for health boosts or use them in crafting recipes. For example, Flax can be turned into Rope or Cloth, while Wool is used for crafting sails and clothing.
5. Tips for Successful Farming in Aloft
- Group Farming Plots: Place plots close together to make watering more efficient.
- Monitor Animal Hunger: Feed animals regularly to ensure they produce resources.
- Explore New Biomes: Each biome offers unique crops and animals, so explore widely to expand your farming options.
- Use Rain to Your Advantage: Rain naturally waters crops, saving you time and effort.
- Experiment with Recipes: Combine crops and animal resources to discover new recipes and crafting options.
Farming in Aloft is a rewarding and essential activity that provides the resources needed for survival, crafting, and cooking. By mastering crop cultivation and animal husbandry, you can create a thriving home island and contribute to restoring the game’s corrupted ecosystems.
you can also check Ultimate Guide to Knowledge Stones in Aloft.