How do I build a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Building a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved is a great way to enhance your farming efficiency and create a sustainable source of food and resources. Greenhouses provide a significant boost to crop growth rates, allowing you to grow crops like vegetables, berries, and even rare plants more quickly. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to build 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 other components. Once unlocked, you can craft these structures using the required materials. Greenhouse structures are made from materials like crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste, so youÔÇÖll need to gather these resources in advance.
The first step in building a greenhouse is to choose a suitable location. Look for a flat area with enough space to accommodate your greenhouse. Ideally, this area should be close to water sources for irrigation and within your baseÔÇÖs defensive perimeter to protect it from hostile creatures or players. Once youÔÇÖve selected the location, lay down a foundation. Greenhouse foundations are optional, but they provide stability and ensure your structure is level. You can use regular foundations or greenhouse-specific ones, depending on your preference.
Next, build the walls and ceiling of your greenhouse. Greenhouse walls and ceilings are made of glass, which allows sunlight to pass through and boosts crop growth. You can use regular walls or sloped walls to create a roof, but greenhouse ceilings are recommended for maximum efficiency. The greenhouse effect is determined by the percentage of greenhouse structures in the building. To achieve the full 300% growth bonus, at least 75% of the structure must be made of greenhouse components. This means you should prioritize using greenhouse walls, ceilings, and doors.
After constructing the walls and ceiling, youÔÇÖll need to set up crop plots inside the greenhouse. Crop plots come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Small plots are suitable for berries, medium plots for vegetables, and large plots for rare plants like Plant Species X. Place the crop plots on the ground or on greenhouse ceilings if you want to create a multi-level farming setup. Once the plots are placed, fill them with fertilizer or feces to provide nutrients for the crops. You can use compost bins to create fertilizer from thatch, feces, and spoiled meat.
Irrigation is another critical aspect of greenhouse farming. Crops require water to grow, so youÔÇÖll need to set up an irrigation system. This can be done using pipes, taps, and water reservoirs. Connect a water source, such as a river or lake, to your greenhouse using pipes. Place taps near the crop plots to provide water. If youÔÇÖre in an area without a natural water source, you can use water reservoirs to store rainwater. Make sure the irrigation system is properly connected and functioning before planting your crops.
When planting crops, youÔÇÖll need seeds. Seeds can be obtained by harvesting plants or using a tamed dinosaur like a Brontosaurus or Stegosaurus. Once you have seeds, place them in the crop plots and wait for them to grow. The greenhouse effect will significantly speed up the growth process, allowing you to harvest crops more frequently. Keep an eye on the crop plots to ensure they have enough water and fertilizer. If the plots run out of nutrients, the crops will stop growing.
One common mistake to avoid is using too many non-greenhouse structures in your build. If less than 75% of the structure is made of greenhouse components, you wonÔÇÖt achieve the full growth bonus. Another mistake is neglecting irrigation. Without water, your crops will wither and die, so always double-check your irrigation system. Additionally, make sure your greenhouse is well-protected. Hostile creatures or players can destroy your crops, so consider adding defensive measures like turrets or tamed dinosaurs.
For advanced players, you can optimize your greenhouse by creating a multi-level farming setup. Use greenhouse ceilings to stack crop plots vertically, maximizing space efficiency. You can also automate the fertilization process by using dung beetles or phiomias to produce feces. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, assign roles to tribe members to manage different aspects of the greenhouse, such as irrigation, fertilization, and defense. Solo players should focus on creating a compact and efficient greenhouse to minimize resource usage.
In terms of resource requirements, building a greenhouse can be resource-intensive. YouÔÇÖll need a significant amount of crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste. Crystal can be mined from rocks in mountainous areas, while metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge. Cementing paste can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. Make sure to gather these resources in bulk before starting your build.
In conclusion, building a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding project that enhances your farming capabilities. By following the steps outlined above, you can create an efficient and sustainable greenhouse that provides a steady supply of crops. Pay attention to the greenhouse effect percentage, irrigation, and defense to ensure your greenhouse operates smoothly. With proper planning and resource management, your greenhouse will become a cornerstone of your survival strategy.
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 other components. Once unlocked, you can craft these structures using the required materials. Greenhouse structures are made from materials like crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste, so youÔÇÖll need to gather these resources in advance.
The first step in building a greenhouse is to choose a suitable location. Look for a flat area with enough space to accommodate your greenhouse. Ideally, this area should be close to water sources for irrigation and within your baseÔÇÖs defensive perimeter to protect it from hostile creatures or players. Once youÔÇÖve selected the location, lay down a foundation. Greenhouse foundations are optional, but they provide stability and ensure your structure is level. You can use regular foundations or greenhouse-specific ones, depending on your preference.
Next, build the walls and ceiling of your greenhouse. Greenhouse walls and ceilings are made of glass, which allows sunlight to pass through and boosts crop growth. You can use regular walls or sloped walls to create a roof, but greenhouse ceilings are recommended for maximum efficiency. The greenhouse effect is determined by the percentage of greenhouse structures in the building. To achieve the full 300% growth bonus, at least 75% of the structure must be made of greenhouse components. This means you should prioritize using greenhouse walls, ceilings, and doors.
After constructing the walls and ceiling, youÔÇÖll need to set up crop plots inside the greenhouse. Crop plots come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Small plots are suitable for berries, medium plots for vegetables, and large plots for rare plants like Plant Species X. Place the crop plots on the ground or on greenhouse ceilings if you want to create a multi-level farming setup. Once the plots are placed, fill them with fertilizer or feces to provide nutrients for the crops. You can use compost bins to create fertilizer from thatch, feces, and spoiled meat.
Irrigation is another critical aspect of greenhouse farming. Crops require water to grow, so youÔÇÖll need to set up an irrigation system. This can be done using pipes, taps, and water reservoirs. Connect a water source, such as a river or lake, to your greenhouse using pipes. Place taps near the crop plots to provide water. If youÔÇÖre in an area without a natural water source, you can use water reservoirs to store rainwater. Make sure the irrigation system is properly connected and functioning before planting your crops.
When planting crops, youÔÇÖll need seeds. Seeds can be obtained by harvesting plants or using a tamed dinosaur like a Brontosaurus or Stegosaurus. Once you have seeds, place them in the crop plots and wait for them to grow. The greenhouse effect will significantly speed up the growth process, allowing you to harvest crops more frequently. Keep an eye on the crop plots to ensure they have enough water and fertilizer. If the plots run out of nutrients, the crops will stop growing.
One common mistake to avoid is using too many non-greenhouse structures in your build. If less than 75% of the structure is made of greenhouse components, you wonÔÇÖt achieve the full growth bonus. Another mistake is neglecting irrigation. Without water, your crops will wither and die, so always double-check your irrigation system. Additionally, make sure your greenhouse is well-protected. Hostile creatures or players can destroy your crops, so consider adding defensive measures like turrets or tamed dinosaurs.
For advanced players, you can optimize your greenhouse by creating a multi-level farming setup. Use greenhouse ceilings to stack crop plots vertically, maximizing space efficiency. You can also automate the fertilization process by using dung beetles or phiomias to produce feces. If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, assign roles to tribe members to manage different aspects of the greenhouse, such as irrigation, fertilization, and defense. Solo players should focus on creating a compact and efficient greenhouse to minimize resource usage.
In terms of resource requirements, building a greenhouse can be resource-intensive. YouÔÇÖll need a significant amount of crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste. Crystal can be mined from rocks in mountainous areas, while metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge. Cementing paste can be crafted from chitin or keratin and stone, or harvested from beaver dams. Make sure to gather these resources in bulk before starting your build.
In conclusion, building a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding project that enhances your farming capabilities. By following the steps outlined above, you can create an efficient and sustainable greenhouse that provides a steady supply of crops. Pay attention to the greenhouse effect percentage, irrigation, and defense to ensure your greenhouse operates smoothly. With proper planning and resource management, your greenhouse will become a cornerstone of your survival strategy.