Best Farm Type in Stardew Valley: All 8 Farms Compared

The Standard Farm is the best farm type for most players, because it has by far the most room for crops: 3,427 tillable tiles. The other seven maps trade farming space for a bonus, such as fishing on Riverland, ore on Hill-top, animals on Meadowlands or a split layout for co-op on Four Corners. Pick the bonus that matches how you want to play.

Last checked: November 9, 2026, for version 1.6.15.

You choose the farm type when you create a new save, and you can't change it later in the base game. Here is how all eight compare.

All 8 Stardew Valley farm types compared

Tile counts are the farm's tillable ground. Buildings, paths and trees all take some of it, so real crop space is smaller.

Standard Farm

The default choice and the easiest for a first playthrough. Its biggest open field is 63 by 31 tiles, which makes sprinkler grids, big crop fields and rows of animal buildings simple to lay out. There is no fishing or mining bonus on the farm itself, but the river, lake and Mines are a short walk away.

Choose it if: you want to maximize crops and money, or you are new to the game.

Riverland Farm

Riverland is a set of small islands connected by bridges. You can fish in the water around them, and bubble spots, which show where fish are biting, appear on this farm. Since 1.6, a new Riverland farm starts with a Fish Smoker, which doubles the value of any fish you smoke.

The catch is space. With 1,578 tillable tiles cut into small pieces, big sprinkler fields are awkward.

Choose it if: fishing is your main income. The fishing guide covers rods, bait and the best fish.

Forest Farm

The Forest Farm borders woods similar to the Secret Woods. Large stumps on the farm give Hardwood and grow back, seasonal forage spawns on the farm, berry bushes line the edges, and you can catch Woodskip in the farm pond.

It has the least tillable land of any farm (1,413 tiles), and you'll spend early days clearing trees and bushes.

Choose it if: you like foraging, or want an early supply of Hardwood for buildings and upgrades.

Hill-top Farm

Hill-top has a quarry area in the southwest that spawns stones, ores and geodes. The ores and geodes improve as your Mining level rises, so it stays useful into the late game. There is also a river on the farm for fishing.

Cliffs and stairs split the ground into several levels, so fields are smaller and more scattered.

Choose it if: you want a steady flow of ore for tool upgrades without as many trips to the Mines.

Wilderness Farm

Wilderness looks a lot like the Standard Farm, with a lake for fishing, but monsters appear on it at night. They get tougher as your Combat level rises and drop loot like Mines monsters. Since 1.6, Iridium Golems can appear too.

There is still a good amount of farmland, at 2,131 tiles, but late nights on the farm mean fighting.

Choose it if: you enjoy combat and want monster loot at home.

Four Corners Farm

Four Corners splits the farm into four zones separated by cliffs:

• Top left: a forest area with a renewable hardwood stump.
• Top right: open farmland, the largest zone.
• Bottom left: a pond for fishing.
• Bottom right: a small quarry with mining nodes.

It was designed for multiplayer, so each player can take a corner. With 2,952 tillable tiles it is the second-largest farm, and it works well solo if you like a bit of everything. Our multiplayer guide explains how to set up co-op.

Choose it if: you play co-op, or want small doses of every bonus.

Beach Farm

The Beach Farm is mostly sand, with some grassy areas and the ocean along its edge. You can catch ocean fish from the farm, supply crates sometimes wash up on the shore, and both beach and forest forage appear.

The big drawback: sprinklers don't work on sand. Only the grassy patches can be watered automatically. Players work around it with Garden Pots and Retaining Soil, or by hand-watering. Despite its 2,700 tillable tiles, it is widely seen as the hardest farm for crops.

Choose it if: you want a challenge, or plan to focus on fishing and foraging rather than big fields.

Meadowlands Farm

Meadowlands is the newest farm, added in 1.6. Instead of the usual 15 Parsnip Seeds, you start with a Coop and two chickens. A blue grass grows across the farm that animals love, and since patch 1.6.9 it no longer grows slower than normal grass. There is a pond for fishing as well.

It has 2,066 tillable tiles, enough for crops but less than Standard.

Choose it if: you want animals and artisan goods from day one. Pair it with the artisan goods guide to turn eggs and milk into mayonnaise and cheese.

Which farm type is best for you?

No farm locks you out of anything. You can fish, mine, forage and keep animals on every map; the farm type only changes how much of it happens at home.

Farm layout tips for any map

• Plan sprinklers early. A basic Sprinkler waters the 4 tiles next to it, a Quality Sprinkler a 3×3 area (8 tiles) and an Iridium Sprinkler a 5×5 area (24 tiles). Build your fields around them rather than the other way round.
• Cover crops with scarecrows. A Scarecrow protects a circle with a radius of 8 tiles.
• Keep animal buildings near grass. Animals graze outside when the door is open, and grass on the farm saves hay.
• Leave paths. Fields with no walkways cost time every day.
• Move things later. Robin can move buildings, and since 1.6 she can move the farmhouse too.

The farm planner lets you test sprinkler, scarecrow and bee house layouts on a grid before placing anything, and the crop profit calculator shows what to plant in the space you have.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best farm in Stardew Valley?

For most players, the Standard Farm, because it has the most space for crops at 3,427 tillable tiles. Other farms are better if you want a specific bonus, such as Riverland for fishing or Four Corners for co-op.

What is the best farm for beginners in Stardew Valley?

The Standard Farm. It has the largest open field, no monsters and no sprinkler restrictions, so it is the easiest to plan.

Can you change your farm type in Stardew Valley?

No, not in the base game. The farm type is set when you create the save, so you need a new game to switch.

Which Stardew Valley farm is best for multiplayer?

Four Corners was designed for co-op. It is split into four zones, so each player can run their own section, and it has the second-largest amount of farmland.

Why can't I use sprinklers on the Beach Farm?

Sprinklers don't work on sand tiles, and most of the Beach Farm is sand. You can water those tiles by hand or use Garden Pots with Retaining Soil.

What is the Meadowlands Farm?

Meadowlands is the farm added in update 1.6. You start with a Coop, two chickens and a blue grass that animals love, which makes it the best choice for animal-focused players.