How do I create a base with a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Creating a base with a greenhouse in ARK: Survival Evolved is a great way to enhance your resource production, especially for crops like vegetables and berries. Greenhouses provide a significant boost to crop growth rates and yield, making them essential for advanced crafting and survival. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to build a greenhouse base, covering mechanics, strategies, and tips.
First, you need to understand the greenhouse mechanics. Greenhouse structures, such as greenhouse walls, ceilings, and roofs, provide a greenhouse effect when placed together. This effect increases the growth speed and yield of crops planted in crop plots within the greenhouse. The greenhouse effect is measured as a percentage, with higher percentages offering better bonuses. To maximize the greenhouse effect, you need to ensure that your crop plots are surrounded by as many greenhouse structures as possible. A fully enclosed greenhouse with a high percentage (ideally 300%) will give you the best results.
To start building your greenhouse base, youÔÇÖll need to gather the necessary resources. Greenhouse structures require materials like crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste. Crystal can be mined from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge, and cementing paste can be crafted from chitin/keratin and stone or harvested from beaver dams. YouÔÇÖll also need wood, thatch, and fiber for basic structures like foundations and walls. Make sure to gather enough resources before starting, as greenhouse structures are resource-intensive.
Begin by selecting a location for your base. Flat, open areas are ideal for building, as they allow for easier placement of structures. Avoid areas with frequent predator spawns or high traffic from other players if youÔÇÖre on a PvP server. Once youÔÇÖve chosen a location, lay down a foundation. Greenhouse foundations are not required, but they can help maintain the aesthetic of your base. Use stone or metal foundations for durability, as they offer better protection against attacks.
Next, build the walls and ceiling of your greenhouse. Greenhouse walls and ceilings are transparent, allowing sunlight to pass through, which is essential for crop growth. Ensure that your greenhouse is fully enclosed to maximize the greenhouse effect. You can use regular walls and ceilings for the rest of your base, but the greenhouse section should be made entirely of greenhouse structures. Leave space for doors or windows to enter and exit the greenhouse.
Inside the greenhouse, place crop plots. Large crop plots are recommended for growing vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and corn, which are essential for taming certain dinosaurs and crafting advanced recipes. Small crop plots can be used for berries, but they are less efficient. Fill the crop plots with seeds and fertilize them. Fertilizer can be crafted in a compost bin using thatch, feces, and spoiled meat. Alternatively, you can use dung beetles or phiomia to produce large amounts of feces for fertilizer.
Power your greenhouse with an irrigation system. Use pipes and taps to connect a water source to your crop plots. You can also use rain barrels or water reservoirs if a natural water source is not nearby. Ensure that your irrigation system is properly connected and that water is flowing to all crop plots. This will keep your crops hydrated and growing efficiently.
For advanced optimization, consider adding a generator and electric lights to your greenhouse. While not necessary, electric lights can provide additional light sources, which can be useful in areas with limited sunlight. Generators require gasoline, so make sure to have a steady supply of fuel. You can also use air conditioners or other temperature-regulating structures to maintain optimal growing conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid include not fully enclosing the greenhouse, which reduces the greenhouse effect, and placing crop plots too far from greenhouse structures. Ensure that all crop plots are within the greenhouse area to benefit from the bonus. Another mistake is neglecting defense. While greenhouses are primarily for farming, they should still be protected from wild creatures and other players. Build walls, gates, and turrets around your base to deter intruders.
If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources and build the greenhouse efficiently. Assign roles, such as resource gatherers, builders, and defenders, to streamline the process. Solo players should focus on gathering resources in bulk and building in stages to avoid being overwhelmed.
In summary, building a greenhouse base in ARK: Survival Evolved involves gathering resources, selecting a location, constructing greenhouse structures, placing crop plots, and setting up an irrigation system. Maximize the greenhouse effect by fully enclosing the area and placing crop plots close to greenhouse walls. Protect your base with defensive structures and coordinate with your tribe if playing in a group. With proper planning and resource management, your greenhouse base will become a vital part of your survival strategy.
First, you need to understand the greenhouse mechanics. Greenhouse structures, such as greenhouse walls, ceilings, and roofs, provide a greenhouse effect when placed together. This effect increases the growth speed and yield of crops planted in crop plots within the greenhouse. The greenhouse effect is measured as a percentage, with higher percentages offering better bonuses. To maximize the greenhouse effect, you need to ensure that your crop plots are surrounded by as many greenhouse structures as possible. A fully enclosed greenhouse with a high percentage (ideally 300%) will give you the best results.
To start building your greenhouse base, youÔÇÖll need to gather the necessary resources. Greenhouse structures require materials like crystal, metal ingots, and cementing paste. Crystal can be mined from crystal nodes found in caves or mountains. Metal ingots are smelted from metal ore in a forge, and cementing paste can be crafted from chitin/keratin and stone or harvested from beaver dams. YouÔÇÖll also need wood, thatch, and fiber for basic structures like foundations and walls. Make sure to gather enough resources before starting, as greenhouse structures are resource-intensive.
Begin by selecting a location for your base. Flat, open areas are ideal for building, as they allow for easier placement of structures. Avoid areas with frequent predator spawns or high traffic from other players if youÔÇÖre on a PvP server. Once youÔÇÖve chosen a location, lay down a foundation. Greenhouse foundations are not required, but they can help maintain the aesthetic of your base. Use stone or metal foundations for durability, as they offer better protection against attacks.
Next, build the walls and ceiling of your greenhouse. Greenhouse walls and ceilings are transparent, allowing sunlight to pass through, which is essential for crop growth. Ensure that your greenhouse is fully enclosed to maximize the greenhouse effect. You can use regular walls and ceilings for the rest of your base, but the greenhouse section should be made entirely of greenhouse structures. Leave space for doors or windows to enter and exit the greenhouse.
Inside the greenhouse, place crop plots. Large crop plots are recommended for growing vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and corn, which are essential for taming certain dinosaurs and crafting advanced recipes. Small crop plots can be used for berries, but they are less efficient. Fill the crop plots with seeds and fertilize them. Fertilizer can be crafted in a compost bin using thatch, feces, and spoiled meat. Alternatively, you can use dung beetles or phiomia to produce large amounts of feces for fertilizer.
Power your greenhouse with an irrigation system. Use pipes and taps to connect a water source to your crop plots. You can also use rain barrels or water reservoirs if a natural water source is not nearby. Ensure that your irrigation system is properly connected and that water is flowing to all crop plots. This will keep your crops hydrated and growing efficiently.
For advanced optimization, consider adding a generator and electric lights to your greenhouse. While not necessary, electric lights can provide additional light sources, which can be useful in areas with limited sunlight. Generators require gasoline, so make sure to have a steady supply of fuel. You can also use air conditioners or other temperature-regulating structures to maintain optimal growing conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid include not fully enclosing the greenhouse, which reduces the greenhouse effect, and placing crop plots too far from greenhouse structures. Ensure that all crop plots are within the greenhouse area to benefit from the bonus. Another mistake is neglecting defense. While greenhouses are primarily for farming, they should still be protected from wild creatures and other players. Build walls, gates, and turrets around your base to deter intruders.
If youÔÇÖre playing in a tribe, coordinate with your tribe members to gather resources and build the greenhouse efficiently. Assign roles, such as resource gatherers, builders, and defenders, to streamline the process. Solo players should focus on gathering resources in bulk and building in stages to avoid being overwhelmed.
In summary, building a greenhouse base in ARK: Survival Evolved involves gathering resources, selecting a location, constructing greenhouse structures, placing crop plots, and setting up an irrigation system. Maximize the greenhouse effect by fully enclosing the area and placing crop plots close to greenhouse walls. Protect your base with defensive structures and coordinate with your tribe if playing in a group. With proper planning and resource management, your greenhouse base will become a vital part of your survival strategy.