Solarpunk Farming & Irrigation: From Hand-Watering to Full Automation
Farming in Solarpunk is the only reliable way to feed a co-op team and stock your trader. This guide walks through every crop, every sprinkler pattern, and the drone loops that make a farm truly hands-off.
All Crops & Growth Times
| Crop | Grow Time | Yield | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Plant | 2 min | 3 | Cloth, rope |
| Root Veggie | 8 min | 2 | Stamina food |
| Sun Grain | 15 min | 4 | Bread, trade |
| Sweet Berry | 20 min | 5 | Healing food |
| Cotton | 30 min | 3 | Cloth, sails |
| Tea Leaf | 45 min | 2 | Trading, gifts |
The 3-3-1 Sprinkler Pattern
The most efficient small farm is a 3×3 plot of crops with 1 sprinkler in the center. This covers the full 3×3 area and uses the minimum water per block. For larger farms, scale to 6×6 with 4 sprinklers in a square.
- Till 9 soil blocks in a 3×3 square.
- Place 1 sprinkler in the center block.
- Plant 1 seed per block.
- Connect the sprinkler to a water pipe from your nearest river.
Automating Harvests with Drones
Drones are the only way to make a large farm viable. The minimum setup is 1 harvester drone + 1 carrier drone + 1 output chest. Configure the drones with these two job orders:
- Harvester: Scan tilled soil → harvest mature → drop in chest.
- Carrier: Move from farm chest to base chest every 60 seconds.
Animal Domestication (Quick Version)
Each animal has a preferred biome island. Tame with the right food (see full guide), pen them in a 4×4 enclosure with a feeder, and they will breed every 2 in-game days.
Video: Automating a Farm
Next: Animals & Pets
Crops keep you alive; animals keep your base running. Read the Animal Domestication guide for the full tame/breed chart.