How do you craft a Cultivator, and what does it allow you to do?

The Cultivator is one of the most essential tools in Valheim for players looking to establish a sustainable food source and cultivate their own crops. It allows you to till soil, plant seeds, and grow crops like carrots, turnips, and barley. Crafting a Cultivator requires specific materials and access to a Forge, making it a mid-game tool that becomes available after defeating the first boss, Eikthyr, and progressing through the Black Forest biome.\n\nTo craft a Cultivator, you will need 5 Core Wood and 5 Bronze. Core Wood is obtained by chopping down Pine Trees in the Black Forest biome using a Bronze Axe or better. Bronze is crafted at a Forge by combining 2 Copper and 1 Tin, both of which are mined in the Black Forest. Once you have the required materials, head to a Forge and craft the Cultivator under the Tools tab.\n\nOnce crafted, the Cultivator allows you to till soil, which is necessary for planting seeds. To use it, equip the Cultivator and right-click to open its menu. Select the ''Cultivate'' option, then left-click on grass or dirt to turn it into tilled soil. Tilled soil is required for planting seeds, which can be obtained by foraging in the wild or defeating certain enemies. For example, carrot seeds are found in the Black Forest, while turnip seeds are located in the Swamp biome.\n\nAfter tilling the soil, you can plant seeds by selecting the seed type from the Cultivator menu and left-clicking on the tilled soil. Crops like carrots and turnips take a few in-game days to grow, so patience is key. Once fully grown, you can harvest them for food or use them to craft more advanced recipes. Barley, which is found in the Plains biome, is another important crop that can be grown using the Cultivator and is essential for brewing mead.\n\nOne common challenge players face is protecting their crops from wildlife and enemies. To prevent creatures like boars or greylings from destroying your crops, consider building a fence or wall around your farm. Additionally, placing workbenches nearby can prevent enemy spawns in the area. Another tip is to plant crops in rows with enough space between them to avoid overcrowding, which can make harvesting easier.\n\nFor new players, it’s important to prioritize building a Forge and gathering Core Wood and Bronze early on. This will allow you to craft the Cultivator and start farming as soon as possible. Experienced players can optimize their farms by planting crops in large, organized plots and using windmills (unlocked in the Plains biome) to process barley into flour for advanced recipes.\n\nIn summary, the Cultivator is a vital tool for sustainable farming in Valheim. By tilling soil and planting seeds, you can grow crops that provide essential food and resources. Crafting it requires Core Wood and Bronze, which are obtained in the Black Forest biome. Protect your crops with fences and workbenches, and consider expanding your farm as you progress through the game. With a well-maintained farm, you’ll have a steady supply of food to fuel your Viking adventures.