Getting Started Guide

Your First Steps in Grow a Garden

Welcome, new gardener! This guide will teach you everything you need to start your farming journey and build a thriving garden.

🌱 Welcome to Your Garden!

You've just inherited a overgrown plot of land with endless potential. Your grandfather left you this garden with a simple note: "Turn this land into something magical."

This guide will help you transform that wild land into a productive farm, unlock cooking recipes, make friends with villagers, and discover all the secrets hidden in Grow a Garden.

🎯 Your First Day Checklist

1. Clear Your First Plot (5 minutes)

Use your starter tools to clear weeds, stones, and debris. You'll need at least a 3x3 cleared area to start farming.

💡 Tip: Don't exhaust all your energy! Save some for planting seeds.

2. Plant Your First Seeds (10 minutes)

You start with 15 Carrot seeds. Plant them in tilled soil and water immediately.

How to Plant:

  1. 1. Till soil with hoe
  2. 2. Select seeds from inventory
  3. 3. Click tilled soil
  4. 4. Water with watering can

⏱️ Carrots grow in just 3 minutes - perfect for learning!

3. Harvest & Cook Your First Meal (15 minutes total)

Wait 3 minutes for carrots to grow. Harvest them and unlock your kitchen to cook your first Soup!

🎉 Achievement Unlocked: "First Harvest" - Grants Kitchen access + 5 bonus seeds!

4. Meet Your First Villager (5 minutes)

Head to the village center and introduce yourself to Sam, the general store owner.

💡 Sam sells basic seeds and tools. Build friendship by talking daily!

5. Plan Tomorrow (5 minutes)

Before sleeping, sell extras, buy seeds for tomorrow, and check the weather forecast.

📺 Watch TV before bed for weather forecast + cooking show recipes!

Core Game Systems

Farming System

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (28 days each)

Watering: Daily watering required unless it rains

Fertilizer: Boosts growth speed and quality (optional)

Crop Quality: Based on soil, water, and luck

View Crop Database →

Energy System

Starting Energy: 100 points per day

Tool Use: Each action costs 2-5 energy

Restore: Eat food or sleep to refill

Max Energy: Increase with rare foods

⚠️ Running out of energy makes you pass out and lose items!

Cooking System

Recipe Discovery: Experiment or learn from NPCs

Buffs: Food provides temporary stat boosts

Quality: Ingredient quality affects results

Leveling: Cook more to unlock advanced recipes

View Cooking Guide →

Social System

Friendship: Talk and gift items to build relationships

Gifts: Each NPC has favorite items

Events: Attend festivals and birthdays

Rewards: Recipes, items, and storylines

View NPC Guide →

Essential Tips for New Players

🌱 Start Small

Don't plant more than you can water! Start with 10-15 crops and expand as you upgrade your watering can.

📅 Check the Calendar

Plant crops that have time to mature before season ends. A 10-day crop needs to be planted before day 18!

💰 Save Your Gold

Don't spend all your gold on seeds! Keep 500g emergency fund for rainy days and unexpected opportunities.

🎁 Talk to Everyone

NPCs share hints, recipes, and quests. Talk to everyone at least once a week to build friendships and unlock content.

🔧 Upgrade Tools Early

Better tools = less energy spent. Prioritize upgrading your watering can and hoe before other tools.

📺 Watch TV Daily

TV gives weather forecasts, cooking recipes, and tips. Make it part of your morning routine for an edge!

🎯 First Week Goals

🌱

Farming Level 2

Plant and harvest 50 crops to unlock scarecrows and quality fertilizer

👨‍🍳

Cooking Level 1

Cook 10 dishes to unlock better kitchen equipment and first rare recipe

💰

Earn 2,000g

Save up for backpack upgrade (increases inventory slots from 12 to 24)

❤️

3 Friend Hearts

Build friendship with 3 NPCs to unlock community center and festivals