Why can't we build farms on all land? And plant forests with a decorate tool??

[Prince of Thieves]

So I live in rural Canada where there is a mixture of farmland and forests, meaning where there isn't a farm, there is a forest; where there isn't a forest, there is a farm. Unless the area is a protected zone like a park.

My question is why can't we build farms everywhere? Why do we need fertile land? I'm really curious if in Europe (or wherever the developers live) there's a lot of empty space doing nothing? Or do the developers simply not get out of the office much? Pastures and Greenhouses, ah this was really funny, can't even build greenhouses off of fertile land to produce (I literally laughed out loud at this).

So why can't we build farms everywhere? And I suppose plant forests without have to plop them single tree by single tree? Help me understand. <also a bit confused why people don't live on the farms, but whatever>.

[Catratio]

You have to get the extra landscaping tools mod and it will let you paint fertile land wherever you want, otherwise your farms will not produce enough and have to import, which defeats the point. It comes with a tree brush tool for mass planting, and there are other mods exclusively devoted to tree brushes. They're really helpful.

As for greenhouses, it is a little silly. I have the mod to let me build Snowfall buildings in summer maps (includes farm greenhouses), but after a time they disappear and get replaced by fields. Too bad greenhouses aren't more preferred by the game's AI.

[Prince of Thieves]

I actually hadn't thought of a mod, going to check it out. I don't understand the rational of the developers sometimes.

[Nathan_NL]

Is there a way to get bigger farms, because the vanilla are pretty small

[Metacritical]

Originally posted by Nathan_NL:

Is there a way to get bigger farms, because the vanilla are pretty small

Industries expansion

[Nathan_NL]

aha okay thx

[feigendelta]

Just gonna jump in here and agree. Trees should grow, not have to be added by the map maker. Arid climates are different but if we assume there's enough rain trees should grow everywhere (so forestry works everywhere) and if you zone farming then farms should replace the trees and produce food.

[Cahos Rahne Veloza]

You see farms can't just be built willy nilly in real life as well. Sure you can technically, but if your land\soil (again in real life) isn't suited for the kind of crops you intend on planting\growing, then all will just be a loss. This is what's known as arable land. In game arable land is simply denoted by the fertile land visual representation so it does make sense. Also you folk who think the game's farming mechanic isn't realistic need to ACTUALLY GO OUT and try farming in real life. Trust me farming in real life isn't as easy nor rewarding as you might think, especially when you don't have access to modern forms of farming technology.

[Prince of Thieves]

But if land isn’t suited for planting then it’s usually used for pasturing flocks or herds unless of course you’re in a desert or tundra.

[baddragon]

Originally posted by choiseul7:

But if land isn’t suited for planting then it’s usually used for pasturing flocks or herds unless of course you’re in a desert or tundra.

It is a representation of real life - sometimes the best place for farming gets in the way of where you want to build your city!

[Goose]

The Great Plains in america are terrible for trees because of the soil, yet they're really good for massive production of foods & livestock

[Cahos Rahne Veloza]

Originally posted by Emperors Champion:

The Great Plains in america are terrible for trees because of the soil, yet they're really good for massive production of foods & livestock

Did you know that the Native American people thought White Man was crazy for up turning the prairie for his Agriculture and were appalled by it?