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How to Garden in Ark: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing Crops

Gardening in Ark: Survival Evolved involves cultivating crops within a designated area using crop plots, water, and fertilizer. This allows you to grow vital resources like berries, vegetables, and fruits, which are essential for taming creatures, crafting recipes, and sustaining yourself. Understanding the process ensures your survival and prosperity in the harsh world of Ark.

Getting Started with Ark Gardening

Gardening in Ark isn’t just about planting seeds and hoping for the best. It requires a strategic approach, understanding the game’s mechanics, and careful planning to ensure a successful harvest. This guide provides the essential information you need to start and maintain your own thriving garden in Ark.

Essential Requirements for a Successful Garden

Before you start planting, make sure you have the following:

Crop Plots: These are the foundation of your garden. There are three sizes – small, medium, and large – each holding varying amounts of resources and accommodating different crops. The medium crop plot is often considered the most efficient.
Water Source: Your crops need water to grow. This can be achieved through a connected water tap, reservoir, or standing water near the crop plot. Rainwater also works, but it’s unreliable.
Fertilizer: This is crucial for accelerating crop growth. Feces (human or animal), bonemeal, and fertilizer (crafted in a compost bin or industrial grinder) are all viable options. Fertilizer crafted in the industrial grinder is generally considered the best fertilizer.
Seeds: You need seeds of the crops you want to grow. These can be found by harvesting plants in the wild.

Building Your Crop Plots

First, craft your desired crop plot size at your inventory after you reach the required level.

Place the plot: Find a suitable location for your garden. Sunlight exposure doesn’t seem to affect crop growth.
Connect Water: Attach a water tap to a water source (e.g., a reservoir filled by rain or a river). Run irrigation pipes from the tap to the crop plot. Ensure the plot displays a “watered” status. Note that a single crop plot will not require water to be connected to it. Instead, the plot will automatically be hydrated by the environment.
Fertilize: Add fertilizer to the crop plot’s inventory.

Planting and Maintaining Your Crops

Once the plot is ready, you can plant your seeds.

Planting Seeds: Place the desired seeds in the crop plot’s inventory and select “Plant Seed”.
Monitoring Growth: Crops go through several growth stages. Monitor them regularly. Keep the plot supplied with water and fertilizer.
Harvesting: When the crop is fully grown, harvest it by accessing the plot’s inventory. You can also set your dinos to “harvest” near the plot.

Advanced Gardening Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced techniques to optimize your garden.

Crop Rotation

Different crops consume fertilizer at different rates. Rotating crops can help manage your fertilizer supply more efficiently. Consider rotating crops like Amarberry (low fertilizer consumption) with crops like Rockarrot (high fertilizer consumption).

Greenhouse Effect (Ineffective)

While the term is often used, building a greenhouse structure around your crop plots doesn’t actually impact the growth rate in Ark. Sunlight is not a factor.

Utilizing Dinos for Fertilizer Production

Tamed dinosaurs, especially herbivores, produce a significant amount of feces. Use them to generate fertilizer for your crops. The larger the dino, the greater the fertilizer potential. Dung Beetles are a good way to create fertilizer efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about gardening in Ark, with detailed answers to help you overcome any challenges.

1. What is the best fertilizer to use in Ark?

Fertilizer crafted in the industrial grinder is typically the best due to its high effectiveness and extended duration. Dung Beetles placed near feces-producing dinos can automatically create fertilizer from feces.

2. How do I get water to my crop plots?

Connect a water tap to a reliable water source such as a reservoir or river, and then run irrigation pipes to your crop plots. Make sure the pipes are connected and functioning properly. The crop plot should indicate a “watered” status. Rainwater also works, but it’s inconsistent.

3. What seeds can I plant in Ark?

You can plant Amarberry, Azulberry, Mejoberry, Narcoberry, Stimberry, Longrass, Rockarrot, Savaroot, Savoroot, Citronal, and Plant Species X seeds. Each seed yields a different type of resource.

4. Do crop plots need sunlight to grow crops?

No, crop plots in Ark do not require sunlight to grow crops. You can place them indoors or in shaded areas without affecting their growth rate.

5. How long does it take for crops to grow in Ark?

The growth time varies depending on the crop and the quality of fertilizer used. Generally, crops take several in-game hours to fully mature. Using higher-quality fertilizer can significantly reduce the growth time.

6. Can I automate fertilizer production in Ark?

Yes, you can automate fertilizer production using Dung Beetles. Place the beetles near dinosaurs that produce feces, and they will automatically convert the feces into fertilizer. Compost Bins can also be used, but require manual loading.

7. What is the difference between small, medium, and large crop plots?

The main differences are size, the amount of resources they can hold, and the speed at which crops grow. Larger plots can hold more fertilizer and generally support faster growth.

8. How do I find seeds in Ark?

You can find seeds by harvesting wild plants. Each type of plant has a chance of dropping corresponding seeds. Using a dino with high harvesting efficiency (e.g., a Brontosaurus) can increase your chances of finding seeds.

9. Can I grow Plant Species X in crop plots?

Yes, you can grow Plant Species X seeds in crop plots. Plant Species X is a defensive plant that shoots projectiles at enemies.

10. What happens if I don’t water my crops?

If you don’t water your crops, they will stop growing and eventually die. Ensure that your water supply is consistent and reliable.

11. How can I increase my crop yield?

While there is no direct way to increase the quantity of each yield, using better fertilizer will result in faster yields, leading to more crops in a shorter amount of time.

12. What are the best berries to grow in Ark?

The best berries to grow depend on your needs. Mejoberries are excellent for taming herbivores. Narcoberries are used to craft narcotics, and Stimberries are used to craft stimulants.

13. Do crops decay after they are fully grown?

Yes, crops will eventually decay after they are fully grown if they are not harvested. Harvest them regularly to prevent them from spoiling.

14. Can I place crop plots on rafts or platforms?

Yes, you can place crop plots on rafts and platform saddles. This allows you to create mobile farms.

15. What can I use crops for in Ark?

Crops are used for a variety of purposes, including taming creatures, crafting recipes, and creating consumables. They are also used to create advanced food items that provide buffs and stat boosts.

By following this guide and addressing these FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to create a flourishing garden in Ark: Survival Evolved, providing you with the resources you need to thrive in this challenging environment. Good luck and happy planting!

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