Winter in Stardew Valley is just like winter in real life for farmers; a time when the earth becomes inhospitable to all but the hardiest of crops, and getting by until next spring is the goal. Fortunately, the game doesn’t leave its players with no means of survival; you can even thrive in the winter with a focused effort. For players braving their first cold season, or even those who have been through a couple and want to make sure they’re doing it right, we’ve put together a list of Stardew Valley’s best ways to make money in winter.
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Stardew Valley’s Winter Crops for Profit
Winter Seeds are the only crop that can be planted in the snow. Like all wild seeds, the outcome of Winter Seeds is different crops, in this case, one of four: Crocus, Crystal Fruit, Snow Yam, and Winter Root. There are several ways to acquire Winter Seeds:
- It can be crafted using one of each of the four plants mentioned above (Crocus, Crystal Fruit, Snow Yam, and Winter Root).
- You can create Winter Seeds using a Seed Maker with a Winter Root.
- On floors beyond level 10 in the Skull Cavern, there is a small chance to encounter treasure rooms. And, they may contain Winter Seeds.
- They can be bought from either the Traveling Merchant (for gold) or the Desert Trader (for 2 Spring Seeds).
Each of these can be sold for profit or used to make dishes that sell for more.
Winter Foraging in Stardew Valley
The crops mentioned above can also be found randomly under the snow if you are willing to dig. Look for places that would normally be soft earth like the paths between your farm and the community. You’ll find Snow Yams and Winter Roots underground, or you can see Crystal Fruit, Crocus, and Holly sitting above ground. Visit the beach in the winter–always a good way to earn money year-round–and you’ll find Nautilus Shells. They are only present during this season, along with the usual shells you can sell every few days.
Winter Fishing in Stardew Valley
Like all seasons, fishing is a viable way to make gold consistently regardless of the circumstances. There are 15 different fish that can be caught from the various water sources in winter. And, 4 are exclusive to the season: Perch, Squid, Lingcod, and Glacierfish. Spending time at the beach is the most effective way to get paid in the winter since it will have the most expensive fish. Plus, you can also collect shells while you’re there.
Mining in the Winter
The savviest Stardew Valley players know that in Stardew Valley, the best way to make money in the winter is in the game’s dungeons. Your time is split between farming and other activities throughout the year. So, winter is the ideal time to go on deep dives looking for valuable ores and items that can be sold daily for profit. It’s a good idea to start performing any upgrades on your tools. It is to make sure you’re not without them for any amount of time when winter comes.
Making Money Through Winter Events
Stardew Valley’s winter events present unique ways to make money if you complete a few challenges:
- During the Festival of the Ice on the 8th day of winter, you can participate in an Ice Fishing Contest. The contest provides prize items the first time, which can be sold if you’re more interested in the gold, but the real money comes after the first year. Each ensuing contest awards 2,000g, which is a good day’s profit any day of the year.
- The Night Market provides more fishing opportunities for rare fish. Entry to the submarine costs 1,000g, but high fishing skill and Magic Bait means you could haul several thousand gold per trip. There is even a small chance you’ll come away with a Pearl that sells for 2,500g.
Following this guide should help you make it through those lean months with gold to spare. Remember to start stockpiling some items in the fall just in case things get sparse, and be sure to keep a few teleportation totems handy so you can get back and forth quickly.
