How to Build an Automatic Wheat Farm

Having enough food is one of the basic requirements for survival in Minecraft. Additionally, you need wheat primarily for breeding animals. So, in the end, you can probably never have enough of it. However, harvesting everything manually is not a pleasant task. In the last post about Redstone, we already discussed the basic functions of an automatic farm, but today we are putting it into practice! With this guide, you will build your own automatic wheat farm based on water and Redstone.

Resources for a Wheat Farm

Initially, some important resources are needed, which you should have ready. How much you need depends on you. The fields can be built infinitely large. But for a small farm, you don’t actually need much. We are also focusing on raw materials that are easy to obtain and save you time.

Have ready:

• Several stacks of building materials for outer walls (we chose wood)
• Several stacks of dirt
• One or more hoes for tilling
• Water buckets
• Plenty of wheat seeds
• 2x chests
• 1x hopper (built from iron and a chest)
• Redstone dust
• Approximately 10x Redstone repeaters (depending on variation)

Construction Guide

Digging the Collection Basin

The first step is to dig the trench for the wheat bundles and seeds that will be washed away later. We have already learned that water flows from the source for 8 blocks. So, dig 8 blocks into the ground. Behind it, you should dig two more blocks for the chests. Place the chests and attach the hopper to the side of the chest using Shift+Right-click. Then, you can add the water at the other end and let it flow over the hopper.

Building the Fields

At this point, the size is actually up to you. Automatic farms of this type work on the principle of water, so they look similar to rice fields in Asian countries. The levels offer plenty of space for planting and can be extended infinitely.

The bottom level should be 8 blocks deep (again, the reach of water). All levels above should be one block higher and only 7 blocks deep. This way, you only need one water source at the top for harvesting. This creates a kind of staircase. The width is irrelevant, but based on the trench below, 7 blocks are ideal here as well.

Water Sources and Planting

A good field naturally needs a water source. Some tutorials use a parallel trench running from top to bottom, but we won’t do that. We will place the source directly in the field. Although we lose three blocks this way, you will end up with more than enough wheat. This method is much simpler.

We have already learned that water sources hydrate fields for 4 blocks. And since our fields are only 7x7 or 7x8 blocks, it fits perfectly! Place the water source symmetrically in the middle of the field.

You should later cover these water sources with a slab or a trapdoor. Nowadays, these blocks can be filled with water, which is very practical. Even if you no longer see the water, it is still there.

Now till the field, but leave a strip at the top for the later harvesting mechanism. Otherwise, all fields should be sufficiently watered. Then plant your wheat with the seeds to let everything grow peacefully.

Wiring the Redstone

Now comes the probably tricky part, but don’t worry, it’s actually not that complicated! First, we attach our trapdoors at the top of the row we left free. Attach them to the grass block below from above. Test if they fold up towards the field. In the end, however, you should fold them all down to connect the Redstone.

Trapdoors hold back the water, but don’t pour it into the channel yet. Wait until everything is ready. You can now simply lay the Redstone on the edge behind it and place a lever at the end. This should cause the trapdoors to fold up. The block below transmits the Redstone signal to the trapdoors. However, it looks somewhat unsightly.

We, therefore, relocate our Redstone behind and take a look at a peculiarity. Redstone cannot run parallel. This is a bit inconvenient for us but nothing serious. Use repeaters that run into the block behind the trapdoors. Then everything should work smoothly!

You can then lay the Redstone up to the front to the chest, to have everything in one place. Use repeaters to transmit the signal. Build a kind of cable duct along the fields. At the end, place a lever and turn on the line. The trapdoors should stand up.

Wait and … Harvest!

If you are sure that your Redstone works, you can fill the trapdoors at the top with water. Click on the grass and NOT on the trapdoor itself, otherwise, it will fold.

Now you probably have to wait for a while, as your wheat needs to grow. This can take several days, but you can speed it up with bone meal. However, for such a large field, it is not really worth it; better do something else and harvest the field when all the wheat plants are golden yellow. Flip the lever and watch as the water rushes down! The wheat and seeds should either land in the chest or above if they are too fast.

Now you have several stacks full of wheat and probably even more seeds. Unfortunately, you have to replant them manually; there is no automated way to do this (apart from villagers). Repeat the process later or expand the field with other crops like potatoes or carrots.

Conclusion

An automatic wheat field on your farm is actually part of the basic equipment! Eventually, you will have more than enough wheat for bread and for your animals. And the fields also look nice and can be lined up. Automate not only your farm but your entire gaming experience on your own server. Rent a Minecraft server and take your farming projects to a new level! Play either alone or with friends to build huge farms.