How do you unlock the cultivator and grow crops near your shelter?

Unlocking the cultivator and growing crops in Valheim is a crucial step toward sustainable survival and progression. The cultivator is a tool that allows you to till soil, plant seeds, and grow crops like carrots, turnips, and barley. To unlock it, you must first defeat the first boss, Eikthyr, and progress through the game''s crafting tiers.\n\nTo begin, you need to craft a workbench and forge. The workbench is essential for crafting basic tools, while the forge is required to process bronze, which is needed to craft the cultivator. Defeat Eikthyr in the Meadows biome to obtain hard antlers, which are used to craft the antler pickaxe. This pickaxe allows you to mine tin and copper in the Black Forest biome, the next step in your progression.\n\nOnce you have tin and copper, smelt them in a smelter to create bronze at the forge. Bronze is used to craft the cultivator, which requires 5 bronze and 5 core wood. Core wood is obtained by chopping down pine trees in the Black Forest. After crafting the cultivator, equip it to access its functions: tilling soil, planting seeds, and cultivating crops.\n\nTo grow crops, you need seeds. Carrot seeds are found in the Black Forest by harvesting wild carrot plants, while turnip seeds are found in the Swamp biome. Barley and flax, used for advanced recipes, are found in the Plains biome but require defeating Moder, the fourth boss, to unlock. Once you have seeds, find a flat area near your shelter and use the cultivator to till the soil. Plant the seeds and ensure they have enough space to grow.\n\nCrops require time and proper conditions to grow. They need sunlight and cannot be planted too close together or near structures that block light. Water is not a factor in Valheim, so you don''t need to worry about irrigation. However, crops are vulnerable to being trampled by enemies or players, so consider building a fence or wall around your farm for protection.\n\nA common challenge is running out of seeds early in the game. To address this, prioritize planting a few seeds first and harvesting the crops to obtain more seeds. For example, planting three carrot seeds will yield three carrots, which can be replanted to produce nine seeds. This exponential growth ensures a steady supply of food and resources.\n\nAnother tip is to plan your farm layout carefully. Crops like barley and flax require a lot of space, so designate a large area in the Plains biome for these crops. Use the cultivator''s grid system to plant seeds in straight rows, maximizing efficiency and yield. Additionally, consider building a portal near your farm to easily transport harvested crops back to your base.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the cultivator and growing crops in Valheim involves defeating Eikthyr, mining tin and copper, crafting bronze, and gathering seeds. Proper farm management, including protecting crops and optimizing space, is key to success. With patience and planning, you can create a sustainable food source to support your Viking adventures.