Gardening in The Sims 3 is a versatile and rewarding skill that allows your Sims to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Whether you’re looking to live a self-sustaining lifestyle, complete opportunities, or just enjoy a relaxing hobby, gardening adds depth to your gameplay. Here’s how to get started and level up your Sim’s green thumb.
How to Start Gardening
To begin gardening, your Sim needs either the Green Thumb trait (optional but helpful) or access to a plot of land and seeds. Here’s how to get started:
- Buy Seeds
Visit the Grocery Store and purchase seeds from the Gardening section. Alternatively, your Sim can collect seeds found scattered on the ground throughout the world. - Read a Gardening Book
You can begin building the Gardening skill by reading the Gardening skill books found at the bookstore or library. - Plant Seeds
Enter Buy Mode, go to the Family Inventory, and drag seeds onto the ground. With your Sim selected, click on the seeds and choose “Plant”. Your Sim will begin planting in available garden space. - Water and Tend
Once planted, your Sim will need to tend the garden daily. This includes:- Watering
- Weeding
- Harvesting
As your Sim gains levels in the Gardening skill, they’ll unlock the ability to grow higher quality produce and plant rarer seeds.
How to Level Up Gardening Fast in The Sims 3
- Read all Gardening books available at the bookstore.
- Tend your garden daily to earn experience.
- Accept Gardening opportunities from the career board or phone.
- Grow a variety of plants to keep your Sim engaged and learning.
- Use the Greenhouse build items (if you own certain expansions) to garden year-round.
Harvesting and Selling Produce
Once your crops mature, your Sim can harvest them by clicking the plant and selecting “Harvest.” You can:
- Sell produce at the Grocery Store for Simoleons
- Use crops in recipes
- Complete skill challenges like “Master Planter” and “Botanical Boss”
Expansions and Gardening
If you own the Supernatural, Seasons, or University Life expansions, gardening can interact with alchemy, weather patterns, or even university skills. For example, gardening helps with potion crafting and science projects.
Internal Tips and Resources
Want to keep your Sim’s needs up while farming? Check out How To Video Game for more guides.
With the right setup and consistency, gardening can be one of the most profitable and relaxing skills in The Sims 3. Keep planting, and your Sim could soon be growing perfect-quality crops!