What to Do in Winter in Stardew Valley (2026 Guide)

Winter in Stardew Valley is the season when crops stop growing outside — and your daily priorities completely shift. Without fields to water, many players feel at a loss for what to do with 28 empty days. In reality, winter is one of the best seasons to make real progress: you can descend deep into the mines, reel in fish that only appear this time of year, forage five unique collectibles off the snowy ground, keep crops alive in the greenhouse, and finally catch up on friendship hearts with Pelican Town's residents.

Below are the five most productive activities to focus on each winter. Whether you are in your first year or your fifth, these tips will help you come out of the cold season stronger, richer, and better connected.

What you need before winter starts

Harvest every crop on Fall 28. Anything left in the ground on Winter 1 will wilt and disappear. If you have unlocked the greenhouse (by completing the Pantry bundles in the Community Center, or buying it from the Joja Corporation), plant a batch of crops there before the season ends. Also stock up on food — Mine Forager or Field Snack recipes, or simply buy food from Saloon — because your main stamina drain will be the mines rather than watering.

What to do in winter in Stardew Valley

1. Step 1: Descend the Mines and upgrade your tools

   With no crops to water, winter frees up enormous energy for mining. Aim for floors 80 and beyond to find gold ore, iridium (if you reach floor 100 in the Skull Cavern later), diamonds, rubies, and other gems. Collect ore in bulk, then take it to Clint the blacksmith to upgrade your pickaxe, watering can, hoe, and axe. A gold or iridium tool makes every other season more efficient, so winter is the ideal time to queue up upgrades — the tool is only unavailable for two days while Clint works on it, and you will barely notice since there is nothing to water anyway.

   

2. Step 2: Fish for winter-exclusive species

   Three fish can only be caught in winter and will vanish from the fishing pools on Spring 1. The Squid appears in the ocean at night (6 PM to 2 AM) and is worth 80–120 gold apiece — plus you need it for the Night Fishing Bundle. The Midnight Carp is found in the mountain lake and the river from 10 PM to 2 AM and counts toward the Lake Fish Bundle. The Lingcod swims in the river from 6 AM to 7 PM and is one of the higher-value winter catches. Fishing also earns experience toward the fishing skill, and reaching level 10 unlocks the Pirate profession (double treasure chest chance) or Angler (all fish worth 50% more).

   

3. Step 3: Forage winter items across the valley

   Each day in winter, five forageables spawn on the ground around the valley, replacing the mushrooms and berries of other seasons. The five winter forageables are: Crystal Fruit, Holly, Winter Root, Nautilus Shell, and Snow Yam. Crystal Fruit is the most valuable at 150 gold base. All five are needed for the Winter Foraging Bundle in the Community Center's Crafts Room. With the Botanist profession (farming level 10), every foraged item is automatically iridium quality, making foraging worth much more gold per trip. Walk around the beach, mines entrance, forest, and bus stop daily to pick them all up.

   

4. Step 4: Farm year-round in the greenhouse

   The greenhouse is unlocked by completing the Pantry bundles in the Community Center (or purchased from Joja Corporation). Inside, crops grow regardless of season, and trees bear fruit all year. If you have not yet unlocked it, completing the necessary bundles during winter gives you the greenhouse for Spring 1. Once inside, the highest-profit plants are Ancient Fruit (up to 550 gold per harvest, regrows every 7 days), Starfruit (750 gold, best made into wine), and multi-harvest crops like Strawberries or Blueberries. Plant 18 fruit trees around the perimeter — they produce fruit daily once mature, generating passive income every single day of the year.

   

5. Step 5: Build friendships and complete Community Center bundles

   Winter is the perfect time to talk to every villager daily and give gifts twice a week. Higher friendship levels unlock heart events, new dialogue, and — for marriage candidates — the option to propose. Many loved gifts are items you will already be collecting: Holly is loved by several residents, and foraged items like Crystal Fruit also make useful presents. Use the extra energy you are not spending on watering to visit the Saloon in the evening for NPC conversations. At the same time, check which Community Center bundles you are still missing. The Winter Foraging Bundle requires Crystal Fruit, Holly, Snow Yam, Crocus, and Winter Root — items that only appear this season — so winter is your one annual window to collect them.

   

Extra winter tips

• Never let a day go to waste. Even on days when energy is short, you can still walk the map to forage items — foraging costs no energy.
• Queue tool upgrades early. Drop your pickaxe off with Clint on Winter 1 or 2. You will get it back before you need it for deep mining.
• Robin's construction projects. Winter is a great time to build or upgrade farm buildings (coop, barn, silo, cellar). Robin takes 3–4 days per project and you can still do everything else while she works.
• Artisan machines. Keep your kegs, preserve jars, and cheese presses full. Process any leftover summer or fall produce into artisan goods for a big gold injection when spring arrives.
• Winter Star festival (Winter 25). Attend the Feast of the Winter Star to receive a gift from a random villager and give one in return. Check your gift recipient's preferences beforehand with the Stardew Valley Wiki or a friendship check.

Troubleshooting

I forgot to harvest before Winter 1 and lost all my crops

Unfortunately crops left in the ground on Fall 28 are gone. Treat it as a learning moment — set a calendar reminder for Fall 27 or 28 in future years. Some seeds (like Sunflowers) drop seeds when harvested, so you may recover some investment.

I cannot find the winter forageables on the map

They appear in the same general areas as other-season forageables: the beach, the forest south of your farm, Pelican Town streets, and the bus stop. They reset daily, so check back each morning. The Botanist profession also does not increase spawn rates — only quality.

The greenhouse is not unlocked yet — what can I grow?

Outside of the greenhouse there is nothing farmable in winter, but you can still plant seeds in pots or garden pots inside your farmhouse with the right equipment (garden pot recipe from Pierre after greenhouse unlock). Without the greenhouse, focus on mining, fishing, and foraging instead.

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow crops in winter in Stardew Valley?

You cannot grow crops in outdoor tilled soil during winter — they wilt on Winter 1. The only way to grow crops in winter is inside the greenhouse, which ignores all seasonal rules.

What fish are exclusive to winter in Stardew Valley?

Three fish can only be caught in winter: the Squid (ocean, night), the Midnight Carp (mountain lake and river, night), and the Lingcod (river, daytime). Missing them means waiting until next winter.

What are all the winter forageables in Stardew Valley?

There are five: Crystal Fruit, Holly, Winter Root, Nautilus Shell, and Snow Yam. All five are needed for the Winter Foraging Bundle in the Community Center.

How do you make money in winter in Stardew Valley?

The main money-makers in winter are: selling mined gems and ore, fishing (especially high-value fish like Lingcod), selling greenhouse produce and artisan goods, and foraging Crystal Fruit. Keeping kegs and preserve jars full of fruit and vegetables from prior seasons also generates steady passive income.

Should I go to the Skull Cavern in winter?

Yes — winter is the ideal season for Skull Cavern runs because you have no other time-sensitive farm tasks. Stock up on staircases (crafted from stone), bomb clusters, and high-energy food, then aim to reach level 100 for iridium ore. Check Pierre's shop for a Lucky Lunch if the Fortune Teller shows a good luck day.

Make winter your most productive season

Winter in Stardew Valley only feels empty if you approach it without a plan. Use those 28 days to push deep into the mines, catch season-exclusive fish before they disappear, fill the Winter Foraging Bundle, keep your greenhouse thriving, and raise friendship levels with every villager in town. By the time Spring 1 arrives, you will have upgraded tools, a stuffed wallet, and relationships that unlock new parts of the story. For additional seasonal strategies and game updates, visit the official Stardew Valley website.