Farming OSRS: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Skill
Farming in Old School RuneScape, or farming OSRS, is an essential skill that allows players to grow crops, trees, herbs, and flowers, providing resources for other skills and a steady income source. It’s a passive skill, which means crops grow in real time, even when players are offline. Unlike many other skills, farming OSRS doesn’t require constant attention, making it unique and appealing for players who want to make progress while focusing on other activities. This guide will answer common questions and explain how to make the most out of farming OSRS.
What is Farming OSRS and How Does It Work?
Farming OSRS is a skill where players plant seeds and grow crops in designated patches spread across the game world. Once seeds are planted, crops grow in real time, meaning they continue to develop even when the player logs off. This makes farming OSRS different from other skills that require continuous player interaction. To start farming OSRS, players need to visit patches, plant seeds, and then wait for their crops to grow. Crops can take minutes to hours, or even days, depending on the plant type. Once fully grown, players can harvest their crops for experience points and resources, which can be sold or used for other skills like herblore and cooking. For new players, farming OSRS may seem complex due to its passive nature and the need to travel between patches, but it becomes more manageable with experience.
What Tools and Seeds Are Needed for Farming OSRS?
In farming OSRS, players need basic tools and seeds to begin planting. The essential tools include a rake, seed dibber, watering can, and spade. A rake clears weeds from a patch, a seed dibber plants seeds, a watering can helps water plants, and a spade is used to harvest crops. Some advanced tools include a compost bin, used to create compost from organic items like weeds and rotten food. Compost improves soil quality, reduces the risk of plants becoming diseased, and increases yields. Supercompost, a more potent form of compost, offers even better protection and higher yields. Seeds are the starting point for every crop, and they vary widely depending on the type of plant. Beginners should start with allotment seeds like potatoes and onions, which require low-level farming and are inexpensive. As players gain experience, they can plant higher-level crops like herbs, trees, and fruit trees. Herb seeds like ranarr and snapdragon are especially valuable and can bring good profit in the game’s economy.
What Are Farming Patches in OSRS, and Where Are They Found?
Farming patches in OSRS are specific locations where players can grow crops. These patches are divided by crop types, such as allotments, flower patches, herb patches, tree patches, and fruit tree patches. Allotment patches allow players to plant various vegetables like onions and potatoes, while herb patches are used for herbs such as guam and ranarr. Tree patches are for planting trees like oaks, willows, and maples, and fruit tree patches can grow trees like apple, banana, and papaya. Farming patches are located in different towns and cities, including Falador, Catherby, Ardougne, and more. Players must travel between these patches to check on crops, which may seem time-consuming, but it becomes manageable once players establish a route. Many players use teleportation items like the Ectophial or the Ring of Duelling to save time while traveling between patches. Learning the location of each patch and planning an efficient route can greatly improve farming OSRS success.
What is the Importance of Compost in Farming OSRS?
Compost is an essential part of farming OSRS because it protects crops from disease and increases their yield. When players add compost to a patch, it reduces the risk of crops getting diseased, which means fewer chances of losing a harvest. Compost can be made by players using organic items in a compost bin, or it can be bought from farming shops. Compost comes in two types: regular compost and supercompost. Regular compost is useful for beginners, but supercompost offers even more protection and a larger crop yield. Supercompost is made using high-quality organic items like pineapples and watermelons. Some players also use ultracompost, which is made by adding volcanic ash to supercompost. This is the most effective type of compost and provides maximum disease protection and yield. Using compost on patches is especially helpful when growing expensive crops like ranarr, where losing a harvest can be costly. Composting patches each time before planting is a good habit for efficient farming OSRS.
What Are Farming Contracts, and How Do They Benefit Players?
Farming contracts are tasks assigned to players by Guildmaster Jane at the Farming Guild in the Kebos Lowlands. These contracts involve growing specific crops, and once players complete them, they receive rewards like seed packs, which contain a mix of seeds. Farming contracts are a great way to earn extra resources and increase farming OSRS experience. Contracts come in three difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard, with harder contracts offering better rewards. Farming contracts encourage players to grow a variety of crops and make their farming experience more diverse and rewarding. They provide an additional challenge for players who have reached higher farming levels, giving them an opportunity to earn resources beyond regular crops. Completing farming contracts is also an effective way to obtain seeds for valuable herbs and trees, making it worthwhile for players who want to maximize their profit from farming OSRS.
How Can Players Protect Their Crops in Farming OSRS?
Protecting crops in farming OSRS is crucial to avoid losing valuable crops to disease. The primary ways to protect crops include paying NPC farmers to watch over them, using compost or supercompost, and planting scarecrows. NPC farmers are available near most patches and can be paid to look after specific crops. This is especially useful for high-value crops like trees and herbs, as these can be expensive to replant. Compost and supercompost are also effective, as they reduce the chance of crops becoming diseased. Players can add compost to a patch before planting seeds to increase the soil’s quality and improve the chances of a healthy harvest. Scarecrows are used for specific crops, like allotment patches, to keep birds away. Together, these strategies help players manage and protect their crops, reducing losses and ensuring they maximize their harvest in farming OSRS.
How Can Players Earn Money Through Farming OSRS?
Earning money through farming OSRS is possible by growing high-value crops and selling them at the Grand Exchange or directly to other players. Some of the best money-making crops include ranarr weed, snapdragon, and torstol. These herbs are used in herblore to make potions and have a high demand in the game. Fruit trees and regular trees can also provide profit, though they require a higher initial investment. Players can further increase profits by using the Farming Guild for contracts that reward them with valuable seeds. Some players choose to sell herb seeds directly if they don’t want to grow them, as these seeds have high market value. Another way to make money from farming OSRS is by growing and selling saplings, which are used by other players for their own farming. By focusing on profitable crops and managing patches effectively, players can make significant in-game currency from farming OSRS.
What is the Farming Guild, and What Role Does It Play in Farming OSRS?
The Farming Guild is a special area in OSRS where players can participate in farming contracts, access exclusive patches, and earn additional rewards. Located in the Kebos Lowlands, the guild is open to players with a farming level of at least 45. The guild is divided into three tiers, each offering different features based on the player’s farming level. The higher the tier, the more advanced the patches and rewards available. The Farming Guild is popular among players because it offers unique benefits like faster growth rates for certain crops and access to the only redwood tree patch. The guild also has a variety of shops where players can buy farming tools, seeds, and even high-quality compost. Spending time at the Farming Guild provides players with more opportunities to improve their farming skill and access valuable resources for farming OSRS.
How Can Beginners Start Farming OSRS Effectively?
Beginners in farming OSRS should start with low-cost seeds like potatoes, onions, and cabbages. These crops are affordable and easy to grow, helping players understand the basics without risking too much. New players should also make use of allotment patches, as they offer consistent yields and can be found in most farming areas. Beginners should focus on building a habit of visiting their patches regularly to check on crop progress. Composting is a good practice for beginners to reduce the risk of crop disease and increase yield. As they gain experience, they can move on to higher-level crops like herbs and fruit trees. Following an efficient route between patches can help beginners save time and maximize experience gain. Setting up a daily routine and gradually increasing the crop variety will help beginners advance in farming OSRS smoothly and gain confidence in managing their crops.
Benefits of Farming OSRS
| Benefit | Description |
| Passive Experience | Crops grow in real time, so players gain experience without constant play. |
| Resource Collection | Players can harvest crops for food, potions, and other resources. |
| Money-Making Opportunity | Growing high-value crops like herbs provides a steady income. |
| Supports Other Skills | Farming produces materials used in herblore, cooking, and more. |
| Farming Guild Rewards | Access to exclusive patches and contracts at the Farming Guild enhances rewards. |
Conclusion
Farming OSRS is a valuable skill that allows players to passively gain experience, earn money, and gather resources for other skills. By understanding farming patches, using tools effectively, applying compost, and protecting crops, players can make the most out of farming OSRS. Completing farming contracts and spending time in the Farming Guild provide additional rewards and make the skill even more engaging. Farming OSRS offers a balanced approach for players who enjoy progress without constant interaction. With patience and planning, players can improve their farming level, earn profits, and enjoy the benefits of this rewarding skill.
