Do I Water My Plants If It Rains? A Guide for Stardew Valley Players

As a player of the popular farming simulation game, Stardew Valley, you might have wondered whether you should still water your crops if it rains. After all, in real life, rainfall is usually enough to keep plants well-hydrated. However, the game mechanics of Stardew Valley are a bit more complex, and there are a few factors to consider before deciding whether to skip watering your plants on a rainy day.

The Effect of Rain on Your Crops

Firstly, it's important to understand how rain affects your crops in Stardew Valley. Rain does provide some amount of hydration to your plants, but it's not always enough to fully replenish their water levels. Some crops, such as trees, won't benefit from rainfall at all. Others, like flowers, may actually be harmed by too much water. Additionally, rain doesn't have any effect on plants that are in a greenhouse or indoors.

The Importance of Soil Moisture

Another factor to consider is the moisture level of your soil. In Stardew Valley, each tile on your farm has its own soil moisture value, which affects how much water your crops can absorb. Rainfall can increase the soil moisture level, but it's not guaranteed to do so. If your soil is already dry, it might not be enough to fully hydrate your crops. On the other hand, if your soil is already fully saturated, additional rainfall won't have any effect. You can check the moisture level of your soil by hovering over a tile with your cursor.

How to Determine If Your Crops Need Watering

So, how do you know if your crops need watering on a rainy day? One way is to check their hydration levels by hovering over them with your cursor. If their water level is below 100%, you'll need to water them regardless of whether it's raining or not. Another option is to rely on the "juice" that appears on the soil after watering. If the juice disappears quickly, it means the soil is dry and the crops need more water. If it stays on the soil for a while, that means the soil is still moist and you can skip watering for the day.

Special Cases: Sprinklers and Fertilizer

If you've already installed sprinklers to water your crops automatically, you don't have to worry about watering them manually on rainy days. However, you may want to adjust or disable your sprinklers if it's raining hard enough to flood your fields. Similarly, fertilizer won't be washed away by rain, so you don't need to worry about reapplying it.

Conclusion

Overall, whether or not you water your crops on a rainy day in Stardew Valley depends on a few factors. Consider the type of crops you're growing, the moisture level of your soil, and the hydration level of your plants. While rain does provide some level of hydration, it's not always enough to fully replenish your crops. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your farm thrives even on rainy days.