Farming is a chain, not a planter
The upper floor and balcony are natural farming zones because they provide open placement space for planters and solar equipment. The college student is officially described as leaning toward farming and cooking, but every character still needs a complete production and storage chain.
A dependable crop workflow
Build the zone around the daily route
Keep planters close enough that watering, tilling and harvesting do not consume the day in travel. Leave a clear staircase landing and room to move a cold-sensitive pot indoors. Do not place every available planter before confirming your water, power and workload.
Queue work only when the character can finish it
Planting competes with sleep, repairs, cooking and exploration. Schedule crop care after urgent survival needs and leave a stamina margin for crises. V1.0.14331 corrected cases where queued planting, fertilizing and tilling were delayed until the end of the action list.
Plan the destination before harvesting
Fresh food can lose value if the refrigerator is full or unpowered. Before the crop is ready, decide whether it will be eaten, cooked, frozen or traded. A harvest is not a supply solution until it survives storage.
Prepare for cold waves
Official development notes say low temperatures can stop growth or make cold-sensitive crops wither. Move pots indoors, add suitable heating, and account for the increased electrical load. A full battery and fuel reserve protect both the crop and the refrigerator.
Avoid false precision
Crop time and balance values can change quickly after release. Use the timer shown on your current save and build a buffer; do not rely on a static table from the demo.