⚒️ Hoe
The Hoe is one of the starting tools in Stardew Valley, given to the player at the beginning of the game. It is used to till soil for planting crops and to dig up dirt patches, including Artifact Spots. While the basic Hoe tills one tile at a time, upgrading it allows the player to charge and till multiple tiles at once.
🌱 Uses
The Hoe is essential for farming and artifact hunting:
- Tills soil for planting crops
- Used to dig up Artifact Spots (worms/wriggling soil)
- Required for planting seeds outside of the Greenhouse or Garden Pots
- At higher upgrades, tills multiple tiles in rows or blocks
🔼 Upgrades
The Hoe can be upgraded at the Blacksmith by providing metal bars and paying gold. Each upgrade allows the player to charge the Hoe to till larger areas, increasing farming efficiency.
| Upgrade | Bars Required | Cost | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Hoe | 5 Copper Bars | 2,000g | Tills up to 3 tiles in a straight line |
| Steel Hoe | 5 Iron Bars | 5,000g | Tills up to 5 tiles in a straight line |
| Gold Hoe | 5 Gold Bars | 10,000g | Tills up to 9 tiles in a 3×3 square |
| Iridium Hoe | 5 Iridium Bars | 25,000g | Tills up to 18 tiles in a 6×3 rectangle |
💡 Tips & Strategies
- Upgrade before Spring or Summer to prepare large crop fields quickly
- Iridium Hoe is the best choice for late-game farms with massive planting
- Artifact hunting is faster with upgraded charge abilities
- Plan upgrades in Winter to avoid losing farming time