Ushi No Tane Forum

Okay so I am currently in mid summer of my first year. I'm in the crop town and making pretty decent money. Not great, but enough to get by right now. I just expanded my farm field and am currently using the entire field to grow my crops (onions, radishes, corn, and red roses). I have several questions that after looking at the page on the site about this game, I am still confused about. Some of my questions are just me asking for some advice.

Okay so I have two cows, two sheep, and two chickens, all grown up. My cows are already at like 5 hearts and my sheep are at 3. My chickens are at 2. I also have a cat, a small dog, and a big dog. The pets are all at 1 heart.
I had a kinda silly question, so my pets started herding one of each of my livestock. I read on the site they didn't start doing that until they had at least one heart, so does that mean sometime later when I am close to 2 hearts will they start herding both of my livestock? Would save me a lot of time for farming instead of taking my animals in and out every day and night. I hate having to limit when I am out gathering or fishing or something.

This time I am focusing more on building up my farms than getting married, though I wanna get married on the game lol. I am interested in Hiro, Cam, and Ash (and Mikhail once he is unlocked) and I do give the boys a gift at least a couple days a week. Not sure which guy I want my girl to marry so I am just wooing them all a bit until I decide. None of the guys are past 1 flower but I have went on several dates with Cam already. Also been talking to and giving gifts (sometimes) to the people who I'd need to have at 4 flowers in order to marry the certain guy. Do you think I should keep sort of wooing for awhile or just focus on my farmwork?

I'm debating if I should switch farms and move to Bluebell for a bit when I hit year 2 so I can start raising more chickens and livestock. Do you think that is a good idea because it would get in the way of quickly growing crops? Or should I stay in Kono for a bit longer and keep working up the crop farm?

The tunnel expansions, in the tunnel is there anything good for it other than until the tunnel is done and are able to cross it. I know eventually you can get a mine. Also, how long did it take you to get the major's friendships with each other up to max? I have been buying dishes to enter into the cooking festivals when I was unable to make a dish for it (main dish is my problem right now) so I have entered something everytime. I have even been on the winning team when I entered a dish from the food shops. I really wanna try and get the tunnel expanded as fast as possible so then I can get to the towns faster. Is the tunnel request 3 the one that connects the two towns?
Okay here's a stupid question. I do not understand the whole fertilizer thing. Like I saw people doing all these crazy farm lines but I cannot make those things turn corners, only straight lines. Can someone explain how best to use fertilizer? And also should I even bother doing that until I can get the seed maker?

Finally I have a problem getting my girl to have enough energy to do all the tasks she needs to do everyday since I have a huge field full of growing crops. What types of foods restore the most energy but are easy to get ahold of early game? I'm spending a ton of money on buying food to take care of energy.

Sorry about all these questions and I hope someone can help me!

I'm really sorry if I miss any of your questions, here goes my best~

-About pets. Um, I really can't remember too well >.< I do know the first heart = 100 FP points. So juuuust before the third heart they should start to herd 2 animals I think. More here. They are amazing for saving time at night. Definitely chuck their toys at them. Also keep in mind you can't get rid of them, so you're stuck with those pets forever ^^" Can't sell them and buy a different looking one.

-Bachelors :D It's great you like a few of them~ I highly suggest you woo them all and see all their flower events ^.^ It's great fun. You don't have to drop gifts on them, though (unless you feel like it). I wooed Hiro and was stingy with gifts, and still got him to red heart no trouble (dating helps a ton). Ash, Hiro, and Kana have reverse proposals (they can ask you to marry them ^^), while Cam, Dirk, and Mikhail do not. It's something to keep in mind. I hope you find the one you like the best, but it's worth it going after several of them.

-It's highly suggested you stay in Konohana and unlock the seed maker (and a few other things if you want) first. In fact, most recommend staying in Konohana until everything is 100%. Then moving to Bluebell and staying there for the rest of ever with the expanded barn. It's up to you, of course.

-As for the tunnel, it updates each village's tune I believe. Some villagers will also go to the other village sometimes (I believe you see Kana in Bluebell for example). It makes Dirk's mail route shorter I think. Also the opposite general store's prices drop I believe (like rice in you're in Bluebell, wheat if you're in Konohana). I'm not too sure on those details, though. But, yeah, easier to get to the other town. Most say enter the cooking festivals and loose to get seeds--but don't unlock the first tunnel upgrade. Just focus on your farms. [I just did the tunnel first because I'm lazy and it was convenient XD]

-hngh. Energy... I know I had some trick... Uh, maybe grilled fish? I can't remember this one well, sorry ^^"

I had a lot of trouble with the trenches at first, too, but once you get the hang of it it's a lot easier. All you have to do is move the directional pad in the direction you want the trench to go (doesn't matter which direction your character's facing). To be safe I used to tap and A button and the directional pad constantly, which worked, but it's not necessary once you get the timing down. Also: if you character stops digging mid-trench because they're low on stamina or you accidentally mess up, you can CONTINUE the trench so long as you start on the last square of your aldready-dug trench (otherwise you'll just end up with two trenches, which has happened to me a few times).

As for the fertilizer: are you familiar with the 3x3 pattern that the seeds used to follow in other harvest moon games? If not, it looks like this

XXX
XXX
XXX

The basic method of fertilizing is this (P = plant, F = fertilizer)

FFF
FPF
FFF

Basically, the fertilizer has to be touching the plant in order to fertilize it, either from the sides of diagonally. This only applies when you are NOT using trenches though (and is only really useful for trees). If you are using trenches, you can place the fertilizer anywhere along the trench and it will raise the star rank of every crop in that trench. Just remember that the more crops you have the faster the fertilizer is used up (conversely, if you have less plants and more fertilizer the containers will empty much slower).

There a more comprehensive explanation here (half way down), but hopefully this helped.

Also, keep in mind that any extra food you've bought from the cafe or tea house can be shipped and you'll basically get your money back.

Angelic wrote:
-About pets. Um, I really can't remember too well >.< I do know the first heart = 100 FP points. So juuuust before the third heart they should start to herd 2 animals I think. More here. They are amazing for saving time at night. Definitely chuck their toys at them. Also keep in mind you can't get rid of them, so you're stuck with those pets forever ^^" Can't sell them and buy a different looking one.

Yeah I feel stupid now lol. I looked at every page including the pets one and I looked at the chart and should have realized I why my pets started herding one animal each lol. Kinda stinks how long it takes just so they can herd two animals. I gotta get the bell for my cat lol. Already got the bone for the dogs and have been playing with them.

Angelic wrote:
-Bachelors :D It's great you like a few of them~ I highly suggest you woo them all and see all their flower events ^.^ It's great fun. You don't have to drop gifts on them, though (unless you feel like it). I wooed Hiro and was stingy with gifts, and still got him to red heart no trouble (dating helps a ton). Ash, Hiro, and Kana have reverse proposals (they can ask you to marry them ^^), while Cam, Dirk, and Mikhail do not. It's something to keep in mind. I hope you find the one you like the best, but it's worth it going after several of them.

Yeah I think it is soooooo cute that there are some reverse proposals. It kind of makes me wanna go after one of the guys that do that but at the same time I wanna see what the other boys are like. lol oh well I guess I'll just woo the ones I like for a bit.
I am worried about one thing though, the jealousy point system. Does this really affect the gameplay too much and make it hard to even enjoy wooing the guys?

I mean the website says....

"Accumulating JP points might be worrisome, but the fact that they reset so easily means you may never have a problem with the jealousy point system. Going on a date with someone will reset that person's JP back to zero. Even simply taking first place in some of the festivals will reset the JP to zero if the candidate attended the festival. Basically it is good to know that the jealousy point system exists, but it is such a minor issue that you might never even notice it."

So I should be safe?

Angelic wrote:
-It's highly suggested you stay in Konohana and unlock the seed maker (and a few other things if you want) first. In fact, most recommend staying in Konohana until everything is 100%. Then moving to Bluebell and staying there for the rest of ever with the expanded barn. It's up to you, of course.

I read it is smart to try and have at least one of each animal (although you can only hold four livestock so you'd need to chose the best ones that you will need) I wish they had made it that you had enough room for one of each at Kono.

Angelic wrote: -As for the tunnel, it updates each village's tune I believe. Some villagers will also go to the other village sometimes (I believe you see Kana in Bluebell for example). It makes Dirk's mail route shorter I think. Also the opposite general store's prices drop I believe (like rice in you're in Bluebell, wheat if you're in Konohana). I'm not too sure on those details, though. But, yeah, easier to get to the other town. Most say enter the cooking festivals and loose to get seeds--but don't unlock the first tunnel upgrade. Just focus on your farms. [I just did the tunnel first because I'm lazy and it was convenient XD]

I kinda wanna try and get the tunnels down first just so I can go back and forth between towns easier lol. Then I don't have to worry about so much wasted time lol.

Angelic wrote: -hngh. Energy... I know I had some trick... Uh, maybe grilled fish? I can't remember this one well, sorry ^^"

Alrighty, so I guess I'll just keep trying to find a good food lol.

Anonymous Fish wrote:I had a lot of trouble with the trenches at first, too, but once you get the hang of it it's a lot easier. All you have to do is move the directional pad in the direction you want the trench to go (doesn't matter which direction your character's facing). To be safe I used to tap and A button and the directional pad constantly, which worked, but it's not necessary once you get the timing down. Also: if you character stops digging mid-trench because they're low on stamina or you accidentally mess up, you can CONTINUE the trench so long as you start on the last square of your aldready-dug trench (otherwise you'll just end up with two trenches, which has happened to me a few times).

As for the fertilizer: are you familiar with the 3x3 pattern that the seeds used to follow in other harvest moon games? If not, it looks like this

XXX
XXX
XXX

The basic method of fertilizing is this (P = plant, F = fertilizer)

FFF
FPF
FFF

Basically, the fertilizer has to be touching the plant in order to fertilize it, either from the sides of diagonally. This only applies when you are NOT using trenches though (and is only really useful for trees). If you are using trenches, you can place the fertilizer anywhere along the trench and it will raise the star rank of every crop in that trench. Just remember that the more crops you have the faster the fertilizer is used up (conversely, if you have less plants and more fertilizer the containers will empty much slower).

There a more comprehensive explanation here (half way down), but hopefully this helped.

Yeah that helps a bit but I still don't fully understand how to dig to get this:



Also I didn't know that you can keep connecting if your character stops lol.

There are technically two ways you could dig that trench, but I think it's easier to start on the outside and work your way in.

So say you start here (here being the red dot)



all you have to do it keep tapping A while tapping the direction in which you want to go (in this case, to the right).

Once you get here



you'd change directions and go up. Once that side is as long as you want it to be you change direction again. Since Cher seemed to be aiming to make a square, she went left and then down and then right again and rinse and repeat. Most of my trenches are a bit simpler than that, some of them basically being straight lines and others that curve and bend. It's just a matter of getting used to it. You could try practicing a bit, then just restarting your day once you get it down. Practice makes perfect

Also, don't even worry about the jealousy system. The worst that'll happen is they'll tell you they're mad and then you get the option to apologize or not. If you don't apologize, they'll be grumpy with you for a while and won't accept your gifts or ask you out on dates (I think; not sure since I always apologize). If you do, though, you're good.

...Did you figure out to fertilizer and trenches? A lot of your energy is being lost if you're not using trenches. I also recommend that you upgrade your watering can asap (Gombe, once he's close to 2 flowers). Gombe likes bamboo especially, but also various teas that you can buy from Yun's teahouse.

If energy is still an issue, I recommend you make pudding (easy with one cow and one chicken), or make simple sugary dishes like blueberry jam. Those give me more energy or equal energy to complicated, expensive meals.

Yes, the jealousy system is not an issue at all. I don't believe you can loose a single FP.

If you ignore a bachelor too much and date the others, he'll give you an "I'm unhappy with you" line. You can just say you're sorry and he'll be all happy again like nothing happened XD Going on a date resets the jealousy point count with that bachelor, and I think festivals do, too maybe.

They're definitely right on trenches though, they're an amazing energy and time saver. I'm terrible at making them, but thankfully you don't have to make a continuous line. If you fail halfway through an awesome trench (usually when changing directions for me X_x'), you can use your hammer to pound the messed up spot, and then go back to trench making right over where you left off like...

[1][2][3](fail)

pound the fail and start from 3 again. The trench should continue just fine ^^ That's how I survived XD I always did them in the morning, so I could restart if I wasted too much time.

Anonymous Fish wrote:There are technically two ways you could dig that trench, but I think it's easier to start on the outside and work your way in.

So say you start here (here being the red dot)



all you have to do it keep tapping A while tapping the direction in which you want to go (in this case, to the right).

Once you get here



you'd change directions and go up. Once that side is as long as you want it to be you change direction again. Since Cher seemed to be aiming to make a square, she went left and then down and then right again and rinse and repeat. Most of my trenches are a bit simpler than that, some of them basically being straight lines and others that curve and bend. It's just a matter of getting used to it. You could try practicing a bit, then just restarting your day once you get it down. Practice makes perfect

Also, don't even worry about the jealousy system. The worst that'll happen is they'll tell you they're mad and then you get the option to apologize or not. If you don't apologize, they'll be grumpy with you for a while and won't accept your gifts or ask you out on dates (I think; not sure since I always apologize). If you do, though, you're good.

I'll probably do this arrangement once I start using fertilizer. I'll prob start that after I get the seed maker.

Frogsnack wrote:...Did you figure out to fertilizer and trenches? A lot of your energy is being lost if you're not using trenches. I also recommend that you upgrade your watering can asap (Gombe, once he's close to 2 flowers). Gombe likes bamboo especially, but also various teas that you can buy from Yun's teahouse.

If energy is still an issue, I recommend you make pudding (easy with one cow and one chicken), or make simple sugary dishes like blueberry jam. Those give me more energy or equal energy to complicated, expensive meals.

Yeah, I do use trenches, just I always failed at being good at making them. Didn't know until a few days ago that you can keep going with the same trench and mess up and still be able to get it right.

I'm currently waiting for the blacksmith to post up the watering can update quest. I just got him to two flowers a few in game days ago.

As far as energy has gone I had been using pudding but wanted to start saving up milk and eggs lol.

Angelic wrote:Yes, the jealousy system is not an issue at all. I don't believe you can loose a single FP.

If you ignore a bachelor too much and date the others, he'll give you an "I'm unhappy with you" line. You can just say you're sorry and he'll be all happy again like nothing happened XD Going on a date resets the jealousy point count with that bachelor, and I think festivals do, too maybe.

They're definitely right on trenches though, they're an amazing energy and time saver. I'm terrible at making them, but thankfully you don't have to make a continuous line. If you fail halfway through an awesome trench (usually when changing directions for me X_x'), you can use your hammer to pound the messed up spot, and then go back to trench making right over where you left off like...

[1][2][3](fail)

pound the fail and start from 3 again. The trench should continue just fine ^^ That's how I survived XD I always did them in the morning, so I could restart if I wasted too much time.

Okay, I got worried about that jealous system. Since there are no rivals I thought it would be fun to try and woo several of the guys.

The trenches I have now are in lines of about 5 so what I will probably do is at the end of the month once all my crops are done and harvested I will redo them all so I can save a lot more time.