The Ultimate Guide to Finding Fertilizer in Sanctuary (and Beyond!) in Fallout 4
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So, you’re trying to become the Commonwealth’s premier farmer, eh? You’ve come to the right place! Finding fertilizer in Fallout 4, especially around Sanctuary, is crucial for getting your crops growing and settlements thriving. It’s a key ingredient for crafting, particularly for making that all-important Vegetable Starch (adhesive). But where do you find this precious resource in the early game, particularly in and around Sanctuary?
The immediate answer: Unfortunately, Sanctuary itself is notoriously barren when it comes to readily available fertilizer. You won’t find bags of the stuff lying around like you might find scrap metal or wood. However, understanding where to look nearby and how to reliably acquire it is key. The best way to get fertilizer near Sanctuary in the early game is to look for it in settlements that already have farms established, or to invest in getting Brahmin to live at your settlements.
Beyond Sanctuary: Expanding Your Fertilizer Hunt
While Sanctuary might be a fertilizer wasteland, the surrounding areas offer more promising hunting grounds. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best locations to find or acquire fertilizer early in your Fallout 4 adventure:
- Abernathy Farm: This farm is located south-west of the Red Rocket Truck Stop, on a farm not far from Sanctuary. This is a very useful place to travel to early on, and it is one of the first settlements you can unlock. You can often find a few bags here to get you started. In addition, Connie Abernathy sells shipments of 25 fertilizer.
- Graygarden: This robotic settlement, located south of Vault 111, is a goldmine. You can typically scavenge nine bags of fertilizer around the farm. This makes Graygarden an excellent early-game destination. Some three bags of fertilizer can be found in the Graygarden homestead.
- Greentop Nursery: This settlement, located northeast of Vault 111 and Sanctuary, is another great source. Scavenge the area to find up to seven bags of fertilizer. This spot has five bags inside the greenhouse and three right outside.
- Vendors: Don’t underestimate the power of commerce! Several vendors throughout the Commonwealth sell fertilizer, either in individual bags or in larger shipments. Check with:
- Connie Abernathy (Abernathy Farm): Sells shipments of 25.
- Daniel Finch (Finch Farm): Also sells shipments of 25.
- Supervisor Greene (Graygarden): Sells two shipments of 25.
- Diamond City Surplus (Diamond City): Stocks individual bags.
More Tips on Getting Fertilizer
- Brahmin: These two-headed cows are fertilizer factories! Build a feeding trough at your settlement, attract Brahmin (using a Brahmin trough or by fast-traveling to the settlement frequently), and collect the Brahmin feces (which is, in essence, fertilizer) they leave behind. This is a sustainable and reliable source. You can also buy Brahmin from a vendor and assign them to a settlement.
- Scavenging: Keep your eyes peeled! Individual bags of fertilizer can occasionally be found in random containers, sheds, and workshops. It’s always worth checking those dusty corners. Two bags can often be found in the back of the Pick-R-Up truck at the hillside home.
- Quests: Dr. Penske buys this item after meeting her and activating the unmarked quest Fertilizer Woman.
Understanding Fertilizer’s Importance
Why all the fuss about fertilizer? Besides keeping your settlers fed and happy (which directly impacts your settlement’s overall happiness and productivity), fertilizer is a critical component for crafting essential items.
The biggest draw for Fertilizer is the fact that it’s a major component in Vegetable Starch, which is adhesive: a critical crafting component for building settlements and modding weapons and armor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fertilizer in Fallout 4
1. Can I craft fertilizer in Fallout 4?
No, you cannot directly craft fertilizer in Fallout 4. You must find it through scavenging, purchasing it from vendors, or obtaining it from Brahmin.
2. Is there a perk that helps me find more fertilizer?
No, there isn’t a specific perk that directly increases the amount of fertilizer you find. However, the Scrounger perk increases your chance of finding more ammunition, and since fertilizer can sometimes be found in containers that also hold ammo, it indirectly helps you find more resources in general.
3. How do I attract Brahmin to my settlement?
Build a Brahmin trough! This structure will attract wandering Brahmin to your settlement. You can also purchase Brahmin from certain vendors and assign them to your settlement. Fast travel to the settlement frequently to ensure the Brahmin sticks around.
4. How often do Brahmin produce fertilizer?
Brahmin will produce fertilizer (Brahmin feces) regularly. Check the area around the feeding trough every few in-game days for a fresh supply.
5. What’s the best settlement for farming in Fallout 4?
While many settlements are suitable for farming, Sanctuary is often considered one of the best due to its large, flat buildable area and readily available water source. The other great ones are the ones that already have established farms, like Abernathy Farm, Greentop Nursery and Graygarden.
6. How many crops can one settler manage?
One settler can manage up to 6 food units worth of crops. For example, they can manage 6 Mutfruit plants (each worth 1 food) or 12 Corn plants (each worth 0.5 food).
7. What is the best crop to plant in Fallout 4?
Mutfruit is the most efficient crop, providing 1 food unit per plant. It’s also relatively easy to acquire and replant.
8. Do settlers automatically harvest crops?
Yes, settlers assigned to crops will automatically harvest them. However, they may not do so as quickly as you would, so it’s still beneficial to manually harvest crops regularly, especially if you need resources for crafting.
9. Besides fertilizer, what other resources are essential for farming?
Water is crucial! Ensure your settlement has a reliable water source (wells, pumps, purifiers). Also, protect your crops from raids by building defenses like turrets and walls.
10. Where can I find oil in Fallout 4?
Oil, another scarce resource, can be found in items like oil cans, lighters, and gas canisters. Scavenge workshops, garages, and industrial locations for these items.
11. Is there a way to automate resource collection in Fallout 4?
Not completely, but you can use supply lines to connect settlements and share resources. Assign settlers to provisioner routes to transport goods between settlements.
12. Does settlement happiness affect crop production?
Yes, settlement happiness directly impacts productivity. Happy settlers are more efficient farmers! Keep your settlers happy by providing adequate food, water, shelter, defense, and beds.
13. What happens if I destroy P.A.M. in Fallout 4?
Destroying P.A.M. in the Railroad headquarters will mildly disappoint the Brotherhood. However, it won’t have a significant impact on the overall storyline.
14. Can I let Kellogg live in Fallout 4?
No, there is no option to let Kellogg live. He is a mandatory boss fight in the main storyline.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
Check out the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for information on the intersection of gaming, learning, and education. Or check out GamesLearningSociety.org.
So, there you have it! Your comprehensive guide to finding fertilizer in and around Sanctuary, and some valuable tips for thriving in the wasteland. Now get out there, plant those crops, and build the settlements of your dreams!