Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide: A Calm First Spring Plan
By Vini Gürk · Editor
Published Oct 8, 2026 · 3 min read
In this guide
Stardew Valley is a relaxed farming game: you inherit your grandfather’s old farm and decide what to do with each day. It is one of the gentlest picks for younger players, but new farmers still waste their first spring by running out of energy or planting the wrong crops. Here is a simple plan for the first week and the first season.
How time and energy work
Each season lasts 28 days, and there are four seasons in a year, per the Stardew Valley Wiki. Crops that cannot grow in the next season wither when it ends, so plant with the calendar in mind.
Your character has an energy bar that starts at 270. Every swing of a tool uses some. Two rules save most beginners:
- Go to bed before midnight. That restores full energy. Staying up later shrinks the next morning’s energy.
- Do not stay out until 2 a.m. Your character passes out, and if it happens outside the house you lose 10% of your money, up to 1,000g.
Eating food also restores energy, so keep a few foraged items like leeks or dandelions in your bag.
Your first week
- Plant the 15 parsnip seeds waiting in your house. Clear a patch of land, use the hoe, plant, then water.
- Water every day that it does not rain. Unwatered crops do not grow that day.
- Explore the town and say hello to villagers. Friendships unlock recipes, events and gifts later.
- Sell through the shipping bin. The Wiki notes items shipped are paid overnight, after you sleep.
- Harvest parsnips on day 5 (they take 4 days to grow) and use the money for more seeds.
Spring crops compared
These prices and growth times come from the Stardew Valley Wiki’s spring page. Seeds are bought at Pierre’s General Store unless noted.
| Crop | Seed price | Days to grow | Sells for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsnip | 20g | 4 | 35g |
| Potato | 50g | 6 | 80g |
| Kale | 70g | 6 | 110g |
| Green Bean | 60g | 10, then regrows every 3 | 40g |
| Cauliflower | 80g | 12 | 175g |
| Strawberry | 100g, only at the Egg Festival | 8, then regrows every 4 | 120g |
For a first spring, parsnips and potatoes give fast cash. Green beans keep producing, which saves seed money. The Egg Festival on spring 13 is your only chance that season to buy strawberry seeds; plant them that day to get a couple of harvests before summer.
Money basics without stress
- Keep a little seed money before the last week of spring, then stop planting crops that will not finish by day 28.
- Fish and forage on rainy days, when you do not need to water.
- Eat before you collapse. Food is cheaper than losing 10% of your money to a late night.
There is no rush. A slow first spring is fine, and that relaxed pace is a big part of the game’s appeal for families.
Playing with friends and family
Stardew Valley supports co-op on one shared farm.
| Platform | Players |
|---|---|
| PC | Up to 8 since update 1.6 |
| Most consoles | Up to 4 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Up to 8 online, per the Wiki |
| Mobile | Experimental |
The 8-player PC limit is from the game’s own 1.6 changelog. The console and mobile limits come from the Stardew Valley Wiki and can change with updates.
A note for parents
- Rating: the ESRB rates Stardew Valley E10+, citing fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, and use of alcohol and tobacco.
- Price: check the store on your device for the current price in USD.
- Co-op is invite-based: a farm shared only with people your child knows in real life is the safest setup.
Want something with more building or adventure? See our Terraria beginner’s guide, our list of games like Roblox, or the Minecraft beginner’s guide.
Sources checked October 2026: Stardew Valley site, Stardew Valley 1.6 full changelog, Stardew Valley Wiki: Seasons, Stardew Valley Wiki: Spring, Stardew Valley Wiki: Energy, Stardew Valley Wiki: Getting started, Stardew Valley Wiki: Shipping, Stardew Valley Wiki: Multiplayer, ESRB: Stardew Valley.
Frequently asked questions
What age rating does Stardew Valley have?
The ESRB rates it E10+ (Everyone 10+), citing fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling and use of alcohol and tobacco.
How many people can play Stardew Valley together?
Up to 8 players on PC since the 1.6 update, according to the game's own changelog. The Stardew Valley Wiki says most consoles still support up to 4, and mobile multiplayer is experimental.
What should I plant first?
The 15 parsnip seeds you start with. Parsnips grow in 4 days, so you earn your first money quickly and can buy more seeds from Pierre's shop.
What happens if I stay up too late?
Your character passes out at 2 a.m. If that happens outside your house, the Wiki says you lose 10% of your money, up to 1,000g. Going to bed before midnight restores full energy.
