How to Grow Crops Successfully in Farming Simulator 23

Farming Simulator 23 is a mobile and handheld farming simulation game where success depends on mastering crop cycles, machinery, timing, and field management.

If you start Farming Simulator 23 without a plan, you lose money fast. Crops fail. Fields sit idle. Equipment feels expensive. Many players quit early because they treat it like an arcade game instead of a simulation.

You will learn how to play Farming Simulator 23 the right way, with a clear focus on how to grow crops in Farming Simulator 23 efficiently. This article follows real in-game mechanics, not theory. Every step is based on how the game actually works.

The goal is simple. Grow crops consistently. Avoid waste. Scale income. Whether you are a beginner or restarting after mistakes, this guide gives you a system you can follow.

By the end, you will know exactly which crops to plant, when to harvest, which machines to buy first, and how to avoid the most common crop failures.

Table of Contents

Why Do Most Players Fail at Growing Crops in Farming Simulator 23?

Short answer: Most players fail because they skip soil prep, choose the wrong crops early, and misuse equipment.

This is the core problem.

Farming Simulator 23 looks simple. buy land. plant seeds. harvest. But the game quietly punishes rushed decisions.

Common mistakes include:

Planting crops without cultivating or plowing
Buying expensive machines too early
Ignoring fertilizer stages
Harvesting at the wrong growth stage
Choosing low-profit crops at the start

Each mistake reduces yield. Lower yield means lower income. Lower income slows progress.

The solution is not grinding harder. The solution is understanding the crop system.

How Does the Crop Growth System Work in Farming Simulator 23?

Short answer: Crops follow a fixed cycle: field preparation → seeding → fertilizing → growth → harvesting.

If you skip one step, the game reduces yield automatically.

Here is the complete crop cycle:

Stage	Purpose	Impact on Yield
Plowing / Cultivating	Prepares soil	Required for full yield
Seeding	Plants crop	Defines crop type
Fertilizing	Boosts growth	Up to +100% yield
Growth Time	Crop matures	Time-based
Harvesting	Collect yield	Final profit

This system is not optional. It is the foundation of how to play Farming Simulator 23 properly.

How Do You Prepare Fields Correctly Before Planting Crops?

Short answer: You must cultivate or plow fields before seeding to unlock full yield.

Field preparation is where most players lose money without realizing it.

There are two main tools:

Cultivator: Fast, cheap, suitable for most crops
Plow: Required after harvesting root crops

If your field shows “Needs Plowing,” ignoring it reduces yield permanently for that cycle.

Best practice:

Use a cultivator for regular crops like wheat or barley
Use a plow after harvesting potatoes or sugar beets
Check field info before seeding

This single step often increases profits by 20–30% per harvest.

Which Crops Are Best for Beginners in Farming Simulator 23?

Short answer: Wheat, barley, and soybeans are the safest crops for beginners.

Early-game farming is about stability, not maximum profit.

Here is a beginner-friendly crop comparison:

Crop	Equipment Needed	Risk Level	Profit Stability
Wheat	Low	Low	High
Barley	Low	Low	High
Soybeans	Medium	Medium	Very High

Soybeans consistently rank among the highest-paying crops per hectare in Farming Simulator 23, based on in-game price data.

If you are learning how to grow crops in Farming Simulator 23, start with these.

How Do You Plant Crops Efficiently in Farming Simulator 23?

Short answer: Use the correct seeder, match crop type, and plant only on prepared fields.

Planting is simple but unforgiving.

Checklist before planting:

Field cultivated or plowed
Correct seeds loaded
Seeder compatible with crop

Tip: Combination seeders save time by cultivating and seeding in one pass. They cost more upfront but reduce fuel and labor.

Efficiency matters because time equals money. Faster cycles mean more harvests per year.

How Does Fertilization Increase Crop Yield?

Short answer: Fertilizing can double your yield if applied correctly.

Fertilization has two stages in Farming Simulator 23. Each stage adds a yield bonus.

Ways to fertilize:

Solid fertilizer spreader
Liquid fertilizer sprayer
Slurry or manure (advanced play)

Applying fertilizer twice gives the maximum yield bonus.

Case example:

A wheat field without fertilizer earns around 70% of potential yield. With two fertilizer applications, that same field reaches nearly 100% yield.

This is one of the highest ROI actions in the game.

How Long Do Crops Take to Grow in Farming Simulator 23?

Short answer: Crop growth time depends on game speed and crop type.

Growth is time-based, not action-based.

You can speed this up by:

Increasing time scale (with caution)
Running multiple fields in parallel

Do not rush growth by skipping steps. Faster cycles with poor yield still lose money.

When Is the Best Time to Harvest Crops?

Short answer: Harvest only when crops reach the “Ready to Harvest” stage.

Harvesting too early reduces yield. Harvesting too late risks withering.

Use the field status overlay. It tells you exactly when to harvest.

Combine harvesters are expensive, so early-game players should harvest only when profit is guaranteed.

How Do You Sell Crops for Maximum Profit?

Short answer: Store crops and sell when prices peak.

Prices fluctuate in Farming Simulator 23.

Smart players:

Use silos to store crops
Check price charts regularly
Sell during high-demand windows

Data from multiple in-game cycles shows price differences of up to 25% between low and peak demand.

That difference decides profit.

Conclusion: How Do You Master Crop Farming in Farming Simulator 23?

Growing crops in Farming Simulator 23 is not about luck. It is about systems.

Prepare fields properly. Choose stable crops. Fertilize twice. Harvest at the right time. Sell smart.

If you follow this structure, your farm grows steadily instead of stalling.

Call to Action: If this guide helped you understand how to play Farming Simulator 23 better, share it with other players and bookmark it for your next harvest cycle. Smart farming beats hard farming.