Best Crops to Grow in Stardew Valley 1.6 for Each Season

One of the most rewarding parts of Stardew Valley is planning your farm each season; deciding which crops to grow, how to maximize profit, and still keep things cozy and fun. Each season in Pelican Town brings new opportunities (and a few challenges), so here’s a complete guide to the best crops to grow from Spring through Winter.

Spring

Spring marks the beginning of a new farming year; the air feels fresh, the snow has melted, and you’re ready to till your first soil patch. Spring is all about balance: learning how the game’s crop system works while still earning a good amount of gold.

Top Spring Crops:

• Strawberries
  You can only buy Strawberry Seeds at the Egg Festival on the 13th, so plan ahead. They’re extremely profitable if planted immediately after the festival, or save them for next year to get a full-season yield. You also have a chance of growing a strawberry if you start planting mixed seeds early on.

• Cauliflower
  Takes longer to grow (12 days), but the high sale price and chance for giant crops make it worth the wait. Great for both beginners and experienced farmers.

• Potatoes
  A reliable crop that sometimes yields extra potatoes per harvest. They grow quickly (6 days), so you can replant multiple times before summer arrives.

• Green Beans
  These are a solid early investment, they’re a trellis crop that regrows after harvest, saving time on replanting.

• Tea Saplings
  A hidden gem of Spring farming! Tea Saplings can’t be bought, you’ll need to craft them using wild seeds (any season), fiber, and wood after reaching 2 hearts with Caroline and learning the recipe. Once placed, they don’t require watering and produce Tea Leaves every day during the last week of each season (except Winter). Tea Leaves can be sold, used in cooking, or turned into Green Tea, which sells for a nice profit and makes a perfect gift for many villagers.

Spring Tip:
Focus on crops that give you a mix of steady income and high-value harvests. Remember, having a dedicated section of your farm for mixed seeds helps you in the long run.

Summer

Summer is Stardew Valley’s golden season for making serious money. The crops grow fast, the sun is bright, and your sprinklers are finally working overtime.

Top Summer Crops:

• Blueberries
  The most profitable Summer crop for most players. They regrow after harvest and produce multiple berries at once. Plant a large patch early in the season to enjoy weekly harvests.

• Starfruit
  The highest-selling crop in the game (available at the Oasis after unlocking the Bus). Expensive to start, but worth every gold coin if you can afford it.

• Melons
  These are Summer’s equivalent of Cauliflower; large, slow-growing, and capable of forming giant crops. Keep them in 3x3 plots for that chance at bonus yield.

• Hot Peppers
  Regrow quickly and make great gifts for villagers like Shane. They’re a lower-profit option but good for relationship building and quick sales.

Summer Tip:
Pair crops like Starfruit or Melons with quality fertilizer to boost profits. If you have Preserves Jars or Kegs, turn your Blueberries into Jelly or Wine for an even bigger return.

Fall

Fall is the season of abundance. It’s perfect for both making money and preparing for the cold Winter months. Plus, the warm colors make your farm look stunning!

Top Fall Crops:

• Cranberries
  Like Blueberries, they’re multi-harvest crops with high profitability. Once they mature, you can harvest them every few days for consistent income.

• Pumpkins
  Slow to grow but sell for a great price, and yes, they can also form giant crops! Save some Pumpkins for gifts and community center bundles.

• Sweet Gem Berries
  The most expensive crop to grow (requires Rare Seeds from the Traveling Cart), but they sell for huge profits. They take 24 days, so plant them on day one of Fall.

• Eggplants
  A steady, regrowing crop that adds variety to your harvest schedule.

Fall Tip:
This is a great time to start stocking up on artisan goods. Use your Kegs, Jars, and Cheese Presses to turn crops into high-value items before Winter. More details on maximizing profits on animals in this post.

Winter

Winter is a time of rest, most crops won’t grow outdoors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay productive.

Winter Activities:

• Grow crops in your Greenhouse if it’s repaired (try planting a mix of Ancient Fruit and Starfruit).

• Forage for Winter Roots, Crystal Fruit, and Snow Yams.

• Focus on mining, fishing, and animal care to prepare for the next farming cycle.

• Craft and stockpile fertilizers and sprinklers for Spring.

Winter Tip:
Set up your Greenhouse with multi-harvest crops like Ancient Fruit so you can earn income all year long.

Honorable Fruits

• Sweet Gem Berries: It’s the most profitable fruit in Stardew Valley and as mentioned, you can only get it through getting a rare seed from the traveling merchant.

• Starfruit: This is the second most profitable fruit in the whole game. Although, they are very expensive but so worth it. Maximize it’s profits by turning it into starfruit wine and aging it in the cask as you continuously upgrade your farmhouse.

• Ancient Fruit: This is everyone’s go to and top favorite, especially since it’s a re-growable crop. You can grow ancient fruit from finding an ancient seed from the caves, mob drops, and in a digging spot. Remember to give your first ancient seed to Gunther at the museum, so he can give you the recipe and free ancient seeds to grow yourself. Ancient fruit is most profited from putting it into a keg and turning it into ancient fruit wine.

• Strawberry: These are an all time Spring favorite by fellow players, it gives the most profit for Spring and everyone loves a good re-growable crop, as mentioned. Maximize on strawberries by turning them into wine and jelly, even though they are great money makers without converting them.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

• Try your best to try and grow re-growable crops for each season. Strawberries for Spring, blueberries for Summer, cranberries for Fall, ancient fruit for any season (especially when you get your greenhouse).

• Don’t forget that mixed seeds can be your best friend in the first year, especially since it has a chance of giving you strawberries randomly early on instead of only depending on the egg festival.

• Befriend Caroline as soon as you join Stardew for your first year because tea saplings are really helpful for giving you a lot of income for your first year in Spring.

Final Thoughts

Each season in Stardew Valley brings its own rhythm and rewards. Whether you’re focused on maximizing profit or just want your farm to look beautiful and peaceful, the best crops are the ones that make your experience feel fulfilling. Remember, it’s not just about gold; it’s about growing your dream farm at your own pace.