How do I efficiently farm Barley and Flax in the Plains?

Farming Barley and Flax in Valheim''s Plains biome is essential for crafting high-tier food and armor. Both crops are exclusive to the Plains and require careful planning to cultivate efficiently. To start, you must first locate a Plains biome, which is a late-game area filled with dangerous enemies like Fulings and Deathsquitos. Ensure you have strong gear, such as Wolf Armor or Padded Armor, and a reliable weapon like a Blackmetal Sword or Frostner before venturing into this biome.\n\nOnce in the Plains, look for Fuling Villages, as these often contain Barley and Flax growing in small patches. Clear the village of enemies and secure the area. Barley and Flax can only be planted and grown in the Plains biome, so you’ll need to establish a farming outpost here. Build a small base with walls, a portal, and workbenches to protect yourself from hostile mobs while farming.\n\nTo plant Barley and Flax, you’ll need a Cultivator, which is crafted using Bronze (2 Bronze and 5 Core Wood). Use the Cultivator to till the soil, then plant the seeds. Each Barley or Flax plant yields 2-3 seeds when harvested, allowing you to expand your farm over time. Space your crops evenly to maximize yield and avoid overcrowding, which can make harvesting tedious.\n\nOne common challenge is defending your farm from Fuling raids. To mitigate this, build a perimeter wall with stakewalls or stone walls and place workbenches around the area to prevent enemy spawns. Additionally, consider taming Loxes, which can help defend your base. Loxes are passive until provoked and can deal significant damage to Fulings.\n\nFor efficient harvesting, use the Atgeir’s secondary attack (spin attack) to clear multiple crops at once. This saves time and ensures you gather all resources quickly. Once harvested, store your Barley and Flax in secure chests to prevent loss during raids. Barley is used to craft Bread, Lox Meat Pie, and Blood Pudding, while Flax is essential for crafting Linen Thread, which is used in Padded Armor and Blackmetal weapons.\n\nTo optimize your farming process, consider using a portal network to connect your Plains farm to your main base. This allows you to transport resources quickly and safely. Additionally, bring a Fermenter and Cauldron to your Plains outpost to process food on-site, reducing the need for frequent trips back to your main base.\n\nFinally, always be prepared for unexpected threats. Carry healing meads, stamina meads, and a strong bow to deal with Deathsquitos and Fuling Berserkers. By following these steps, you can efficiently farm Barley and Flax, ensuring a steady supply of high-tier resources for your Viking adventures.