how to get the Tea Sapling early to make easy money right away

[RockBrent]

I've had Stardew Valley in my game log for awhile, just finally got around to playing it. I watched a couple youtube videos, from what I've learned, getting tea saplings is an easy way to make 10k - 15k within the first two weeks of the game (without mods or hacks) I just want to clarify that I'm still super new to the game and I am writing this guide for those who might be in a similar position, who are still super new to the game and don't really understand how the friendship mechanic works.

When you start the game, walk around and collect as many spring foragables as you can find (leek, dandelions, wild horseradish, and daffodils) Stockpile them in a chest and do not consume them. You'll also need wood and fiber later too.

Most importantly, you must befriend Caroline, she's the green hair wife of Pierre. Usually shes either hanging out in the town square or is somewhere inside the home beyond the back door in the general goods store. To reach two hearts with her, in order to get the special tea sapling recipe, ALL YOU NEED to do is give her a daffodil (the bright yellow flower) twice a week and speak with her at least once every single day. It'll help immensely if you complete a task she might post on the bulletin board, so make sure to check it every day. I actually missed speaking with her on both Wednesdays (the store was closed) yet I was still able to get to two hearts with her within the first 14 days of my new save.

Once you reach two hearts with her, you can enter the Sunroom inside her kitchen, only during a sunny day between 9-5 though, and after you watch her special cutscene, you'll receive the Tea Sapling recipe in the mail the following day.

To craft a Tea Sapling, you'll need 2 packets of spring seeds (any seasonal seed packet will work though), 5 fiber and 5 wood. Remember all those random spring foragables that you've been hoarding, if you go to the community center and complete the Spring Foraging Bundle, you'll receive 30 Spring Seed packets right away as a reward! You can also craft more Spring Seeds by using one of each spring foragable.

These Tea Saplings sell for 500 gold each, so with the 30 packets you receive as a reward (as well as the wood and fiber), you'll be able to make a quick 7,500 super early. I was able to craft 15,000 worth of tea saplings on my 14th day, so by day 15, I had a huge cash reserve and was able to buy the backpack upgrade super early and spent the rest on even more seeds to turn around and flip for even more money!

[Snowy Sprout]

Very cool! I look forward to trying this someday!

[Stardustfire]

looking at how much fiber is needed later on its a horrible idea to waste it for tea saplings ending in direct sale for a minmal income.

[Snowy Sprout]

Originally posted by Stardustfire:

looking at how much fiber is needed later on its a horrible idea to waste it for tea saplings ending in direct sale for a minmal income.

The thing I would mourn would be the loss of the wild seeds.

But I think the point is to have that large influx of cash for another investment potential.
Yes, you're losing the possible tea harvests, but what if you could then afford a barn or something else guaranteed to bring in even more cash?

Fiber is a renewable resource. You can find it on many levels of the mines, and you can farm it after you get the seed recipe. So I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying a good cash boost early, when it's needed.

[Stardustfire]

seems like you have no idea of my fiber needs :) , and to make the seed for them isnt much better. a complete stack of it is nothing that survives long, specialy not when i start making deluxe moisture fertilizer. fiber ever makes a race with loam what ends first.
strawberrys are enove of a cash boost, at start, without the need to blow out tons of resources for it, or making our little town vendor nervous because the new farmer hangs around his wife every day.

[Snowy Sprout]

I just tried this strategy, and it is AMAZING!

I'm in a "use no energy past day one" challenge, and because the tea saplings gave me so much money I was able to buy a cow barn right after the egg festival, and buy materials for cherry bombs to force my way down the mines to level 11!

I am so grateful to you RockBrent for sharing this technique! I couldn't have done it without you.

[Snowy Sprout]

Originally posted by Stardustfire:

strawberrys are enove of a cash boost, at start, without the need to blow out tons of resources for it,

Maybe it would be so in one of your usual playthroughs. But in my challenge playthrough this strategy has just changed my whole world! And I'm thrilled to get to use it, because it didn't require any mods or cheats or exploits or anything! I'm just pleased as a pumpkin.

[King of the Abyss]

is Caroline the only way to get a tea sapling? I got lucky and the Friday shop had one.

[Snowy Sprout]

Originally posted by King of the Abyss:

is Caroline the only way to get a tea sapling? I got lucky and the Friday shop had one.

Caroline gives you the recipe to make your own.

[King of the Abyss]

Originally posted by Snowy Sprout:

Originally posted by King of the Abyss:

is Caroline the only way to get a tea sapling? I got lucky and the Friday shop had one.

Caroline gives you the recipe to make your own.

oh ok well time to work on that then thanks.