How do I build a greenhouse for farming in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Building a greenhouse for farming in ARK: Survival Evolved is an excellent way to optimize crop growth and ensure a steady supply of food and resources. Greenhouses provide a significant boost to crop growth rates and water efficiency, making them essential for advanced farming. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to build and maintain a greenhouse, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
To start, you need to unlock the greenhouse structures in the game. These are part of the Greenhouse Structures engram set, which becomes available at level 35. You will need to spend engram points to unlock the greenhouse walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. These structures are made from materials like crystal, metal, and cementing paste, so youÔÇÖll need to gather these resources in advance. Crystal can be mined from rocks in mountainous areas, metal is found in metal-rich rocks, and cementing paste can be crafted from chitin/keratin and stone or harvested from beaver dams.
Once you have the necessary materials, choose a location for your greenhouse. Flat, open areas are ideal, as they allow for easier construction and expansion. Make sure the area is safe from hostile creatures and other players if youÔÇÖre on a PvP server. Clear the area of rocks, trees, and other obstacles to create a clean foundation.
The greenhouse effect is achieved by using greenhouse structures, which include walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. These structures must be placed in a way that maximizes the greenhouse bonus. The bonus is calculated based on the percentage of greenhouse structures surrounding your crops. To achieve the maximum 300% growth rate bonus, you need at least 80% of the surrounding area to be covered by greenhouse structures. This means you should aim to build a fully enclosed greenhouse with walls, a ceiling, and sloped roofs.
Start by laying down a foundation. Use stone or metal foundations for durability. Once the foundation is in place, build walls around the perimeter. Greenhouse walls are transparent, allowing sunlight to pass through, which is essential for the greenhouse effect. Next, add a ceiling. Greenhouse ceilings are also transparent and help maintain the greenhouse bonus. Finally, add sloped roofs to complete the structure. Sloped roofs are optional but can help with aesthetics and provide additional coverage for the greenhouse bonus.
Inside the greenhouse, place crop plots. You can use small, medium, or large crop plots depending on the type of crops you want to grow. Small plots are suitable for berries, medium plots for vegetables like carrots and potatoes, and large plots for advanced crops like citronal, rockarrot, and longrass. Fill the crop plots with fertilizer, which can be crafted from feces and thatch or obtained from tamed creatures like dung beetles. Fertilizer is essential for maintaining crop growth.
Water is another critical factor for farming. You can irrigate your crops by connecting a water source to the crop plots. Use pipes and taps to create an irrigation system. Place a water intake in a nearby river or lake and connect it to your greenhouse using pipes. Inside the greenhouse, place taps above the crop plots to provide water. Alternatively, you can use rain barrels or reservoirs to collect rainwater, but these require manual refilling.
Lighting is also important for crop growth. While greenhouse structures allow sunlight to pass through, you may need additional lighting if your greenhouse is in a shaded area or if youÔÇÖre playing on a map with limited sunlight. Use electric lamps or standing torches to provide light for your crops.
When building a greenhouse, there are some common mistakes to avoid. One mistake is not fully enclosing the structure, which reduces the greenhouse bonus. Make sure to cover all sides, including the ceiling, to maximize the bonus. Another mistake is placing too many non-greenhouse structures inside the greenhouse, such as storage boxes or crafting stations. These can block the greenhouse effect and reduce the bonus. Keep the interior focused on farming to maintain efficiency.
For advanced players, consider optimizing your greenhouse layout. Use vertical space by stacking crop plots or building multiple levels. This allows you to grow more crops in a smaller area. You can also automate your farming by using tamed creatures like the dung beetle for fertilizer production and the phiomia for feces. Additionally, consider using a tek generator for power if you have access to tek tier, as it provides a reliable and long-lasting power source for your greenhouse.
If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources and build the greenhouse together. Assign roles, such as one person gathering crystal, another collecting metal, and another crafting cementing paste. This division of labor speeds up the construction process and ensures that everyone contributes to the project.
In summary, building a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved involves unlocking the necessary engrams, gathering resources, and constructing a fully enclosed structure with greenhouse walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. Place crop plots inside, irrigate them, and provide light to maximize growth rates. Avoid common mistakes like incomplete enclosure and cluttering the interior. Advanced techniques include optimizing layout, automating farming, and using tek tier technology. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, a well-built greenhouse is a valuable asset for efficient farming and resource management.
To start, you need to unlock the greenhouse structures in the game. These are part of the Greenhouse Structures engram set, which becomes available at level 35. You will need to spend engram points to unlock the greenhouse walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. These structures are made from materials like crystal, metal, and cementing paste, so youÔÇÖll need to gather these resources in advance. Crystal can be mined from rocks in mountainous areas, metal is found in metal-rich rocks, and cementing paste can be crafted from chitin/keratin and stone or harvested from beaver dams.
Once you have the necessary materials, choose a location for your greenhouse. Flat, open areas are ideal, as they allow for easier construction and expansion. Make sure the area is safe from hostile creatures and other players if youÔÇÖre on a PvP server. Clear the area of rocks, trees, and other obstacles to create a clean foundation.
The greenhouse effect is achieved by using greenhouse structures, which include walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. These structures must be placed in a way that maximizes the greenhouse bonus. The bonus is calculated based on the percentage of greenhouse structures surrounding your crops. To achieve the maximum 300% growth rate bonus, you need at least 80% of the surrounding area to be covered by greenhouse structures. This means you should aim to build a fully enclosed greenhouse with walls, a ceiling, and sloped roofs.
Start by laying down a foundation. Use stone or metal foundations for durability. Once the foundation is in place, build walls around the perimeter. Greenhouse walls are transparent, allowing sunlight to pass through, which is essential for the greenhouse effect. Next, add a ceiling. Greenhouse ceilings are also transparent and help maintain the greenhouse bonus. Finally, add sloped roofs to complete the structure. Sloped roofs are optional but can help with aesthetics and provide additional coverage for the greenhouse bonus.
Inside the greenhouse, place crop plots. You can use small, medium, or large crop plots depending on the type of crops you want to grow. Small plots are suitable for berries, medium plots for vegetables like carrots and potatoes, and large plots for advanced crops like citronal, rockarrot, and longrass. Fill the crop plots with fertilizer, which can be crafted from feces and thatch or obtained from tamed creatures like dung beetles. Fertilizer is essential for maintaining crop growth.
Water is another critical factor for farming. You can irrigate your crops by connecting a water source to the crop plots. Use pipes and taps to create an irrigation system. Place a water intake in a nearby river or lake and connect it to your greenhouse using pipes. Inside the greenhouse, place taps above the crop plots to provide water. Alternatively, you can use rain barrels or reservoirs to collect rainwater, but these require manual refilling.
Lighting is also important for crop growth. While greenhouse structures allow sunlight to pass through, you may need additional lighting if your greenhouse is in a shaded area or if youÔÇÖre playing on a map with limited sunlight. Use electric lamps or standing torches to provide light for your crops.
When building a greenhouse, there are some common mistakes to avoid. One mistake is not fully enclosing the structure, which reduces the greenhouse bonus. Make sure to cover all sides, including the ceiling, to maximize the bonus. Another mistake is placing too many non-greenhouse structures inside the greenhouse, such as storage boxes or crafting stations. These can block the greenhouse effect and reduce the bonus. Keep the interior focused on farming to maintain efficiency.
For advanced players, consider optimizing your greenhouse layout. Use vertical space by stacking crop plots or building multiple levels. This allows you to grow more crops in a smaller area. You can also automate your farming by using tamed creatures like the dung beetle for fertilizer production and the phiomia for feces. Additionally, consider using a tek generator for power if you have access to tek tier, as it provides a reliable and long-lasting power source for your greenhouse.
If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources and build the greenhouse together. Assign roles, such as one person gathering crystal, another collecting metal, and another crafting cementing paste. This division of labor speeds up the construction process and ensures that everyone contributes to the project.
In summary, building a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved involves unlocking the necessary engrams, gathering resources, and constructing a fully enclosed structure with greenhouse walls, ceilings, and sloped roofs. Place crop plots inside, irrigate them, and provide light to maximize growth rates. Avoid common mistakes like incomplete enclosure and cluttering the interior. Advanced techniques include optimizing layout, automating farming, and using tek tier technology. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, a well-built greenhouse is a valuable asset for efficient farming and resource management.