Best farm types in Stardew Valley

Although Stardew Valley may seem like a simple farming game, there is actually a lot to do and lots of little secrets hidden in this game. While farming is only a small part of what you can do, it's still definitely an important part of the game.

When you start a new file, you have a few options for what kind of farm you want to live on after leaving the big city for a simpler life. There is a brief description of each farm, but it's definitely not enough to really tell you the pros and cons of each farm map. To help you make your choice, we have ranked them according to their general characteristics. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter which one you choose, and they're mostly aesthetic in the long run, so choose which one you like!

Updated January 10, 2026 by Ally Cochran: We've updated the list to include the Meadowlands farm type and refined the formatting for smoother reading. We've also added full, unedited screenshots of each farm so you can see them in all their glory.

8

Hilltop Farm

Mostly overrated

Hilltop Farm is one that has some fascinating quirks. The most notable feature of this farm is the fact that it has several areas that are actually elevated above the rest of it. There are small steps up to these raised plateaus in several places and there is a single river that runs through the entire farm. One of these plateaus will spawn rocks and ore as you level up the mining skill.

While having all that ore can be really appealing, it's not so good in the long run. The rocks and ores aren't that quick to spawn and when you see something that looks like gold or iridium there, you've probably already encountered it in the mines and have plenty of it. Using that space for crops, coops, or barns might be a better option, but this layout is still pretty limiting.

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7

Wilderness farm

Sounds cool, but doesn't deliver

Vildmarksgården is a unique farm layout for two reasons. The main thing that sets this farm apart from the others is that, after the sun goes down, monsters will start playing on it. This is useful if you want to try to raise your combat skill or increase your Adventurer's Guild numbers.

Unfortunately, the lake in the middle of the yard and the large rock on the side tend to limit the space you have to work with. Plus, having monsters to deal with at night can limit the amount of peaceful time you have on your farm and take up time that could be spent elsewhere.

6

Forest farm

Easy to forage, but not much room for crops

If you love to breed and harvest things out in the wilderness, the Forest Farm map is definitely a good choice. This farm will spawn hardwood stumps and has a chance to find various food items in the clearing on the left side of the map.

It has the lowest number of workable tiles of any farm type, but there are also 1,490 tiles on which farm buildings can be built. Despite its positive points, if you care more about keeping crops, the Forest Farm map can be somewhat limiting. The large grassy areas are unplantable, and the hardwood stumps can only get in the way if you haven't upgraded your ax yet.

5

Riverland Farm

An underrated choice

Riverland Farm is one that many Stardew Valley players tend to overlook. The idea of ​​the farm being so divided by rivers may seem unappealing, but if you enjoy fishing, it can be helpful. Despite the divided land, there are still 1,578 farmable tiles on this map where crops can be planted and a generous amount of space for animals, equipment and silos.

Although this map can be very versatile, its large number of rivers is not for everyone. If you just want fish to finish the Community Center or prefer to fish in other locations, this map may not be the right choice. Time is limited in Stardew Valley and having to run across those bridges to the different areas can seriously take up a lot of it.

4

Beach farm

Agriculture for professionals

If you want an extra challenge, this is it. This farm layout was added in the 1.5 update and is not for the beginner or those who want an easy ride. The beach farm is focused on an oceanic and tropical atmosphere and is mostly sand and grass areas, with a long coastline and irregular shape. Crops can be grown but – and this is where the challenging part really comes in – sprinklers don't work.

This means you have to water your crops manually unless you use the space for something else – the large open spaces allow for many buildings and room for animals to graze. Also, supply boxes wash up on the beach with helpful items, which is unique to this farm. But of all the Stardew Valley farm maps, this one is the hardest to work with, so make sure you're ready if you choose it.

3

Meadowlands Farm

A cozy, animal-first charmer

The Meadowlands Farm is designed with animals in mind from the very beginning. Instead of starting with a packet of Parsnip seeds, you start your new life already equipped with a Coop and two randomly named chicks. Instead of seeds from Mayor Lewis, you get 15 pieces of hay from an unknown source. This shifts your focus towards animal care rather than early crop optimization.

This farm is covered in a special kind of blue grass that the animals love, making it especially appealing if you want to lean into ranching and passive income early on. With 2,066 farmable tiles and approximately 2,141 non-farmable but buildable tiles, there is still plenty of room for extra farms and crops. If you like the idea of ​​rolling out of bed on day one with chickens and grass that's basically a five-star meal for them, the Meadowlands is an easy choice.

2

Standard farm

Back to basics

Standard Farm is basically the “standard” map in Stardew Valley. This map has no real quirks or anything that makes it stand out from the other farms, but it does have a whopping 3,472 tiles. It's pretty much just a big, solid area of ​​farmland for you to do whatever you want with.

This map has no special properties, meaning you are not limited to where you place anything. However, if you're looking for a challenge, the lack of unique features on the Standard Farm map might not be the best choice. The default map is great to start with when you're new, but it's also great for someone who likes clean lines and a nice, blank square to work with.

1

Four corners

Perfect for multiplayer or just a little bit of everything

The Four Corners map is another post-launch map layout that was added in Stardew Valley's 1.4 update. This layout is, as the name suggests, divided into four different sections, each of which has a large open area. These areas are connected by paths that can be cleared with upgraded tools and a crossroads in the center, where the greenhouse is also located.

While this layout is definitely ideal for multiplayer as it gives each player their own area, it's also great if you just want to organize your farm without having to think about where it goes. The four areas can be easily divided into sections: one for your crops, one for your animals and so on.

Additionally, there's a bit of each of the other Stardew Valley farm types in each corner: one corner has a quarry where ore spawns, one has a pond for fishing, one has a grassy spot with some stumps and weeds that drop mixed seeds, and one has a large space for farming.

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