Farmville Game - Unofficial Strategy Guide

Farmville Game Guide

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Farmville: The Unofficial Strategy Guide
Published by James Vernon on July 27, 2009 in Games

Farmville – the highly popular face book application is used widely by many users every month. Here I will divulge information to help you not only level quickly, but gain a lot of money also. This guide also includes seed guides.

This Guide is to be used as a resource to assist the players when planning what seeds to plant. It will help estimate accurately how much Exp and Money they will Make! I hope you find this guide helpful. Please make constructive criticisms in the comments! Enjoy!
Contents

1. Getting Started
2. Seed Guide
3. Best Crops in Money/Hour
4. Best Crops in Exp/Hour
5. Fastest Levels
6. Fastest & Most Money
7. Best of both Money & Exp
8. Trees
9. Animals
10. Assisting
11. Vehicles
12. Achievements
13. Collections
14. Gifting
15. Tips
16. FAQ’s
17. Other Info

Getting Started
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When you first begin, all the new controls may seem a little hard to grasp. You will grow accustomed to them quick. Here is a fast overview:

-Click & Drag will move the camera
-Clicking will:
– Plow a patch of fallow land
– Bring up the market when plowed land is clicked
– Bring up more options on Trees, Animals, Buildings. Etc.
-The Plow tool at the bottom will allow you to plow grass areas, which you will need to do to expand and plant more over time!

When beginning, you will receive a short intro – Anyway! However, i hope that this cleared some controls up.
Seed Guide

Seed Name – Price to sow – Time – Exp Given – selling price – Profit per Patch* – Coins Per Hour**

* Strawberry – 10 Coins – 4 Hours – 1Exp – 35 – 10 Coins – 2.5 Coins/Hour
* Eggplant – 25 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 88 – 48 Coins – 1.04 Coins/Hour
* Wheat – 35 Coins – 3 Days – 2Exp – 115 – 65 Coins – 0.94 Coins/Hour
* Soybeans – 15 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp – 63 – 33 Coins – 1.434 Coins/Hour
* Squash – 40 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 121 – 66 Coins – 1.434 Coins/Hour
* Pumpkins – 30 Coins – 8 hours – 1Exp – 68 – 23 Coins – 2.875 Coins/Hour
* Artichokes - 70 Coins – 4 Days – 2Exp – 204 – 119 Coins – 1.29 Coins/Hour
* Rice – 45 Coins – 12 Hours – 1Exp – 96 – 36 Coins – 3 Coins/Hour
* Raspberries – 20 Coins – 2 Hours – 0Exp – 46 – 11 Coins – 5.5 Coins/Hour
* Daffodils – 60 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 135 Coins – 60 Coins – 1.30 Coins/Hour
* Cotton – 75 Coins – 3 Days – 2Exp – 207 – 117 Coins – 1.695 Coins/Hour
* Cranberries – 55 Coins – 10 Hours – 1Exp – 98 – 28 Coins – 2.8 Coins/Hour
* Yellow Bell – 75 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 198 – 108 Coins – 2.34 Coins/Hour
* Peppers - 70 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp – 162 – 77 Coins – 3.34 Coins/Hour
* Morning Glory – 60 Coins – 12 Hours – 1Exp – 123 – 48 Coins – 4 Coins/Hour
* Aloe Vera – 50 Coins – 6 Hours – 1Exp – 85 – 20 Coins – 3.3 Coins/Hour
* Pineapples – 95 Coins- 2 Days – 2Exp – 242 – 132 Coins – 2.86 Coins/Hour
* Red Tulips - 75 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp - 159 – 69 Coins - 3 Coins/Hour
* PattyPan Squash – 65 Coins – 16 Hours – 1Exp – 160 – 80 Coins – 5 Coins/Hour
* Blueberries – 50 Coins – 4 Hours – 1Exp – 91 – 26 Coins – 6.5 Coins/Hour
* Watermelons – 130 Coins – 4 days – 2Exp - 348 – 203 Coins – 2.2 Coins/Hour
* Grapes – 85 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp – 270 – 170 Coins – 7.39 Coins/Hour
* Tomato – 100 Coins – 8 Hours – 1Exp – 173 – 58 Coins – 7.25 Coins/Hour
* Pink Roses – 120 – 2 Days – 2Exp - 254 – 119 Coins - 2.58 Coins/Hour
* Potatoes – 135 Coins – 3 Days – 2Exp – 345 – 195 Coins – 2.82 Coins/Hour
* Carrots – 110 Coins – 12 Hours – 1Exp – 200 – 75 Coins – 6.25 Coins/Hour
* Coffee – 120 Coins – 16 Hours – 1Exp - 243 – 108 Coins – 6.75 Coins/Hour
* Corn – 150 Coins – 3 Days – 2Exp – 380 – 215 Coins – 3.12 Coins/Hour
* Sunflowers - 135 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp – 315 – 165 Coins – 7.17 Coins/Hour
* Ghost Chili - 80 Coins – 6 Hours – 1Exp - 136 – 41 Coins – 6.8 Coins/Hour
* Cabbage – 140 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 388 – 233 Coins – 5.06 Coins/Hour
* Blackberries – 75 Coins – 4 Hours – 1Exp – 117 – 27 Coins – 6.75 Coins/Hour
* Lavender - 160 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp - 384 – 209 Coins – 4.5 Coins/Hour
* Green Tea – 105 Coins – 10 Hours – 1Exp – 191 – 71 Coins – 7.1 Coins/hour
* Red Wheat – 180 Coins – 3 Days – 2Exp – 449 – 254 Coins – 3.68 Coins/Hour
* Sugar Cane – 165 – 8 Hours – 1Exp – 239 – 59 Coins – 7.375 Coins/Hour
* Peas – 190 – 1 Days – 3Exp – 381 – 176 Coins – 7.652 Coins/Hour
* Yellow Melon – 205 – 4 Days – 2Exp - 528 – 308 Coins – 3.347 Coins/Hour
* Onions- 170 – 12 Hours – 1Exp – 275 – 90 Coins – 7.5 Coins/Hour
* Broccoli – 200 Coins – 2 Days – 2Exp – 473 – 258 Coins – 5.608 Coins/Hour
* Lillies – 195 Coins – 1 Day – 2Exp – 369 – 159 Coins – 6.913 Coins/Hour
* Acorn Squash – 175 Coins – 10 Hours – 1Exp – 258 – 68 Coins – 6.8 Coins/Hour
* Asparagus – 220 – 16 Hours – 2Exp – 357 – 122 Coins – 7.625 Coins/Hour

*Including Plowing Costs, I.E. Takes the cost of plowing off the profits.
**Done in a 23 Hour Day (Since that’s how long 1 day is on FarmVille)

Best Crops for money/Hour

1. Peas
2. Asparagus
3. Onions
4. Grapes
5. Sugar Cane
6. Tomatoes
7. Sunflowers
8. Lillies
9. Ghost Chili/Acorn Squash
10. Green Tea
11. Coffee/Blackberries
12. Blue Berries
13. Carrots
14. Raspberries
15. Broccoli
16. Cabbage
17. PattyPan Squash
18. Lavender
19. Morning Glory
20. Red Wheat
21. Yellow Melon
22. Peppers
23. Aloe Vera
24. Corn
25. Rice/Red Tulip
26. Pumpkin
27. Pineapple
28. Potatoes
29. Cranberries
30. Pink Roses
31. Strawberries
32. Yellow Bell
33. Watermelon
34. Cotton
35. Squash/Soybeans
36. Daffodils
37. Artichoke
38. Eggplant
39. Wheat

Best Crops in Exp/Hour

Due to the Sheer LENGTH of this guide, i have placed this separately:

http://gameolosophy.com/games/farmville-the-exphour-guide/ Enjoy!
Fastest Levels

The quickest way to level is easily by planting berries*. By continually planting strawberries you get (If you have a 12*12 farm) 288 Exp Every 4 hours. This is the very fast way. But obviously this is mainly used at the weekend unless you can check your farm and spend 20 minutes harvesting, ploughing and planting every hour. Naturally – if you’re in it for the levels and not the money – you can plough as much land as possible and continually plant on them. To get the most effective Exp Out of a plot you could leave a section of your farm plowed without seeding it and then plant soybeans (Best crop for what we are about to do) .Delete the Patches, And repeat, as many times as desired. This will cause you to gain Exp for the plowing and the planting, then being able to do it again on a empty plot.

Alternatively, pumpkins Or Rice if you spend a full 11 hours at work. If this is the case you need alternative methods of making Exp. Here are some:

Wanting fast levels means you wish to spend money on it. Buildings yield a lot of experience – however will cost you a large amount of your money. Eg. A windmill is bought for 100,000 Coins and Given 1,000Exp. Or 1% of what you paid…In Exp!! (An imaginary building cost 750,000 – You get 7,500Exp)

Finally, Helping 20 neighbours a day although somewhat dull, yields a maximum of 100 Exp for 20. (See the Assisting Section). In addition, the newly released Achievements (See section) gives great Exp as well as some money to spend on more Exp!!!

For faster plowing – fertalizing friends crops gives more fuel. So – Make sure you fertalize your neighbours famrs every day for the extra conveniance!

*Raspberries do not appear to give ANY Exp for planting. However, they give the same EXP (Over 4 hours) as strawberries from Plowing – Just more money!
Fastest & Most Money

To get the most money from your farm you want to not always plant the most expensive seed you can. The seeds that give the largest amount of cash are listed in the “Best Crop for Money/hour” At the top of the page. The higher the level you are, the better crops you can plant. So find the highest seed you can plant on the list and that will be your best money maker! You should also be sensible. If you know you are going out don’t pick the seed that will make the most money and will be harvest-able an hour before the predicted time you get home – Pick one that is slightly over your estimated time so nothing does go wrong!

Some seeds like Peppers, and Rice and Pumpkins are the best profit for the time they are planted (Best money per day) Also – To get an extra boost in money, Refer to the “Assisting” section

Finally, the Achievements (See section) gives great Money!

Peas are now the best thing to plant. Harvesting in 1 Day and making a profit of 176 Coins Each. (70,400 Coins for a 20*20 Farm!)

Best of both Money and Exp

The best recommendation for this is to plant some seeds that take 3 days (or so) in a 1/3 of your farm, some seeds that take 2 days in another 1/3 and finally peppers or soybeans in the final section (Yes, the ones that take a day!). This way, when the peppers ripen – you can plant more. The next day when the level 2 Items ripen (Just before the newly replaced crops that take 1 day) you can harvest both of them, and plant twice as many peppers/peas. And on the final day you harvest the entire farm. This leads to good reaping of Exp and a good amount of money from all the harvesting.

Planting an entire farm of 1 seed can become tedious when getting to the harvest. With relation to the previous paragraph – you could stagger the harvesting/plough/planting. With 2 crops that take 2 days to ripen. Plant them on alternating days so you only ever have to harvest half the farm at once. This way also ensures you get a stead stream of money everyday in case you do spend it on extra Exp like buildings, trees Etc.

When money doesn’t become an issue (Around when you have 125,000+) refer to the quick levelling guide. Also – to get an extra boost in both Exp & money, Refer to the “Assisting” section
Trees

Gifted by friends, you can buy them to give you Exp As well (planted gifted trees does not yield Exp). You can harvest them then for extra money to add to your profits, or you can let them ripen and leave them to make your farm look pretty (What I do).

They are slow by steady income, but can take up lots of space normally along the edge of your farm, or bunched in one corner.

Alternatively you can (Similarly to the plots) buy them for the Exp, sell them, and buy more!

Name – Buying Price – Exp Gained from Planting – Harvest in – Produce Selling price – Tree Selling Price

Acai – 27 farmcash – 2 Days – 158 coins – 47 coins
Cherry – 225 coins – 5Exp– 2 Days – 18 coins – 11 coins
Apple – 325 coins – 5Exp - 3 Days – 28 coins – 16 coins
Orange – 425 coins – 5Exp - 4 Days – 40 coins – 21 coins
Plum – 350 coins – 5Exp - 3 Days – 30 profit – 17 coins
Peach - 500 coins – 5Exp - 4 Days – 47 coins – 25 coins
Lemon - 475 coins – 5Exp - 3 Days – 41 coins – 23 coins
Lime – 750 coins – 7Exp - 5 Days – 75 coins – 37 coins
Fig - Only Gift – Gifted - 3 Days – 33 coins – 18 coins
Avocado – Only Gift – Gifted -3 Days – 37 coins – 21 coins
Apricot – Only Gift – Gifted -4 Days – 56 coins – 30 coins
Grapefruit – Only Gift – Gifted -3 Days – 50 coins – 23 coins
Banana – Only Gift – Gifted - 3 Days – 56 coins – 32 coins
Passion Fruit – Only Gift – Gifted - 5 Days – 93 coins – 46 coins
Pomegranate – Only Gift – Gifted - 5 Days – 108 coins – 53 coins
Date – Only Gift – Gifted - 3 Days – 69 coins – 40 coins
Olive - Only Gift – Gifted - 4 Days – 90 coins – Unknown
Animals

Animals are a pain. They take up space and they do not give very much money daily. A Single apple tree is better than 2/3 of the buy-able animals, and draws with the last. Sheep cost 700 coins. In theory, you can buy 2 apple trees and then gain twice as much as you would from 1 sheep! Trees are much better than sheep – it appears.

However, if you find the animals or they are gifted – you may as well! I would suggest not letting them wander…

Also, helping animals that wander onto your farm can give you a small amount of money. But it is up to you.

Check the bottom of the guide for a Link to a Exp Giving Guide to Animals

Assisting

Visiting neighbours farms and pending neighbours is a GREAT way to give yourself a small boost in cash, but Exp as well! You normally get 1 or 5Exp and around 20 Coins. So it is GREAT to visit all your neighbours periodically and collect a small prize :)

Fertalizing thier farms and feeding the chickens in the chicken house can yield fuel and small bonuses.

Vehicles

Possibly the only useful “Decoration” in Farmville, the 3 Vehicles are worth buying. They make everything so much faster! And you get the benefit of using fuel you obtain from neighbours, super grow and Collections (See section for more infomation)

-Tractor
-Harvester
-Seeder

Obviously, it doesn’t take a genius to work out a tractor plows, seeder plants seeds and that a harvester helps bring in the produce!
Achievements

This feature is Fantastic for both money and Exp. Although it can cost a rather amount in both Coins and Time to complete some of the longer achievements, however most a relatively easy and reward handsomely with Exp, Coins and a Random Gift.

All of the yellow ribbons are very easy to achieve, and you will get awarded with quite a few ribbons the first time you log into them! Then, you will want to advance to the white, red and blue ribbons in some (Getting more Exp and Gold, and more Free items!)

You may think that spending lots of cash on getting the Architect ribbon (for example) is a waste. But these balance out again when you get the cream of the crop, or one of the variety ribbons as you will get the money with them.

Good and Easy achievements to receive are:

* Local Celebrity
o Get this by requesting neighbours.
* High Roller
o This is best got by planting the highest paying crops. See the appropriate section for which!
* A Pretty Penny
o Spend.
* Cream of the Crop
o Well – You basically get this purely by harvesting!
* Architect
o Build, Its a nice easy one to get. Build something cheap and sell after you get the blue!
* Animal Shelter
* Green Thumbs
o Variety!
* Tree Hugger
o Variety!
* Noah’s Ark
o Variety!
* Not spoiler, Gifted!
o This one sorta goes without saying! Ask!

Most of these are not terribly difficult

Collections

In January Collections were realsed, with the aim of getting people to do a variert around their farm and others. When you have found all a collection, You may cash it for;

- 250Exp
- 5,000 Coins
- 5 Tanks of Fuel

The money and Exp are a nice little bonus, however if you are experienced enought – its not that much. However the fuel is a welcome bonus. The fuel will be used to plow/sow/harvest and make the same amount of exp and cash all over again!

If you see that someone has completed a collection on your Facebook feed – Be sure to click the “get” button – because you get a random items from the collection they cashed! So you could get one of the rare ones and save lots of time!

Gifting

Gifting to people is a good way to get them back. You might want to keep a list of you who gift to and who gifts back. Sometimes requesting specific gifts in your status can get a nice flood. Normally – If I get trees, i plant them. If i get animals i sell them for the extra money boost (Small as it may be). You should always try and gift the highest thing you can since they almost always give the best return (Unless someone requests one)

Gifts are also randomly received from doing achievements, and although (Like regular gifts) you do not receive Exp from planting/placing them, they can be sold. Sometimes its best to keep them for future Achievements.
Tips

1. Try to Log on Every Day to get a prize from the Raffle!
2. Estimating the time the plants should be done is good and lets you then harvest and plough efficiently
3. Try and plant so all plants collide at 1 Big harvest time, giving max Exp and Money!
4. Doing achievements award money and Exp. Complete them for more!
5. For faster ways to Plow and plant, check this Link
6. Don’t spend you FV dollars on decorations.
7. Buy Special need seeds for wherever if you have the FV dollars.

FAQ’s

Q – How can I Get FarmCash?
A – You can get 1 FarmCash a level, or by buying it with Real American Dollars

Q – What is the best Seed to plant for money?
A – See the money section, and/or the “Best Crop in Money/Hour” Section

Q – I found an Error in your Guide. What do i Do?
A – Please post in the Comments Section

Q – How much fuel do i get and do i get more for more machinery?
A – You have 150 fuel when you buy a tractor. You cannot get a larger tank by buying more machinery or more fuel. The only way to get more fuel is by waiting – or buying it with farmcash

Q – A gold coin falls on me while im harvesting and i cannot pick it up. What is it?
A – It simply gives you 100 Coins!

Any more Questions, please Post in the Comments

Good luck reaching the top of the farmed goods chain!
IF YOU SEE AN ERROR PLEASE COMMENT. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION – COMMENT, I READ THEM ALL!

Comment, Like and become my fan for more Farmville Guides!

Updates

Guide 1.1 – 31st July – Added Animals, assisting, Gifting & Tips. Bought Seeds up to date.
Guide 1.5 – 8th August – Added Exp Marks to seeds & Profits per Patch. Added Sunflowers and Corn, Added Achievements & Extended Best Exp section & other sections
Guide 1.6 – 14th August – Tomatoes, Coffee, Yellow Bells & Broccoli added
Guide 2.0- 16th August – Added images and a few links and tips. A “Money per Hour” section was added to the seed guide, as well as the best money giving seeds in $/Hour. “Best money” section Re-written
Guide 2.1 – 21st August – Added the Red wheat, Carrots and Yellow melon.
Guide 2.2 – 28th August – Added Red Wheat full entry, Blackberries, Cabbage and Aloe Vera
Guide 2.2.1 – 30th August – Corrected eggplant formulae
Guide 2.3 – 4th September – New seeds, Onions & Sugar cane
Guide 2.5 - 13th September – Peas, Asparagus and Grapes. Updated best Crop in money/hour to accommodate the 23 Hour day. Added a FAQ Section
Guide 2.5.1 – 18th September – Asparagus Exp verified
Guide 2.6 - 3rd October – New introduction, contents, getting started, redid Money, Exp and Both Sections, Expanded Trees and Animals, Added tree guide table
Guide 2.6.5 – seed corrections! :)
Guide 2.6.6 – Several *MINOR* corrections!
Guide 2.7 – 23rd October – New Seeds!
Guide 2.8 – 5th Novemeber – New Squash’s
Guide 3.0 – 1st December – New “EXP/Hour” Section
Guide 3.0.1 – 9th January – (O_O) little Housekeeping few errors corrected…Waiting on more Seeds etc.
Guide 3.1 – 25th Janurary – FINALLY added morning glory and a few corrections! :)
Guide 3.5 – 6th March – New sections! (Finally), checked over everything, re-wrote this n’ that.