How to Get Fertilizer in Fallout 4: A Comprehensive Guide and the Curious Case of Mutant Carrots

Fallout 4, the post-apocalyptic RPG from Bethesda, offers players a vast world filled with resources, crafting opportunities, and survival challenges. Among the many resources available, fertilizer plays a crucial role, especially for players who are invested in settlement building and farming. In this guide, we’ll explore how to obtain fertilizer in Fallout 4, its uses, and some unconventional methods to maximize your supply. Additionally, we’ll delve into the curious case of mutant carrots and their unexpected connection to fertilizer in the wasteland.

1. What is Fertilizer Used for in Fallout 4?

Before diving into how to get fertilizer, it’s important to understand its uses. Fertilizer is a key component in crafting and settlement management. Here are its primary uses:

• Crafting Jet: Fertilizer is one of the main ingredients for crafting Jet, a popular chem in the game. Jet provides a temporary boost to Action Points (AP) but comes with the risk of addiction.
• Settlement Farming: Fertilizer is essential for improving crop yields in your settlements. It helps your plants grow faster and healthier, ensuring a steady supply of food for your settlers.
• Crafting Explosives: Fertilizer can also be used to create certain types of explosives, making it valuable for combat-oriented players.

2. How to Get Fertilizer in Fallout 4

There are several ways to obtain fertilizer in Fallout 4. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective methods:

2.1. Collecting Fertilizer from the Environment

Fertilizer can be found scattered throughout the wasteland. Look for it in the following locations:

• Farms and Agricultural Areas: Places like Abernathy Farm and Greentop Nursery often have bags of fertilizer lying around.
• Supermarkets and Hardware Stores: These locations sometimes stock fertilizer as part of their inventory.
• Raider Camps and Settlements: Raiders and other hostile factions may have fertilizer stored in their bases.

2.2. Crafting Fertilizer

If you’re unable to find enough fertilizer in the wild, you can craft it yourself. Here’s how:

• Required Materials: To craft fertilizer, you’ll need plastic and brahmin manure. Brahmin manure can be obtained by having brahmin in your settlements.
• Crafting Stations: Use a chemistry station to combine the materials and create fertilizer.

2.3. Brahmin in Settlements

Brahmin are essential for a steady supply of fertilizer. Here’s how to get them:

• Brahmin Cages: Build a brahmin cage in your settlement using the Wasteland Workshop DLC. This allows you to capture and keep brahmin.
• Brahmin Feed Troughs: Place a brahmin feed trough in your settlement to attract brahmin. Once they’re present, they’ll produce manure, which can be converted into fertilizer.

2.4. Trading with Merchants

Some merchants in the game sell fertilizer. Here are a few notable ones:

• Myrna in Diamond City: Myrna’s store often stocks fertilizer.
• Carla, the Wandering Trader: Carla travels between settlements and may have fertilizer in her inventory.
• Proctor Teagan in the Prydwen: If you’ve aligned with the Brotherhood of Steel, Teagan sells fertilizer and other crafting materials.

3. Maximizing Fertilizer Production

To ensure a steady supply of fertilizer, consider the following tips:

• Multiple Brahmin: The more brahmin you have in your settlements, the more manure they’ll produce. Aim to have at least two or three brahmin per settlement.
• Efficient Settlement Layout: Place brahmin feed troughs near your crafting stations to streamline the process of collecting manure and crafting fertilizer.
• Scavenging Stations: Assign settlers to scavenging stations to increase the chances of finding fertilizer and other rare materials.

4. The Curious Case of Mutant Carrots

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: mutant carrots. In the Fallout universe, radiation has caused many plants and animals to mutate, and carrots are no exception. Mutant carrots are larger, more resilient, and oddly enough, they seem to thrive in areas with high fertilizer usage. Here’s why they’re worth mentioning:

• Fertilizer Dependency: Mutant carrots require a significant amount of fertilizer to grow. This makes them a unique crop that ties directly into the fertilizer economy of the wasteland.
• Nutritional Value: Despite their mutated appearance, mutant carrots are highly nutritious and provide more food value than regular carrots. This makes them a valuable addition to any settlement’s farm.
• Crafting Potential: Some players have reported using mutant carrots in crafting recipes, though this remains unconfirmed by Bethesda. Could mutant carrots be the key to a new type of chem or explosive? Only time will tell.

5. Advanced Tips and Tricks

For players looking to optimize their fertilizer usage, here are some advanced strategies:

• Jet Farming: If you’re crafting Jet for profit, consider setting up a dedicated settlement for brahmin and fertilizer production. This will allow you to mass-produce Jet and sell it for caps.
• Explosive Builds: Fertilizer-based explosives can be devastating in combat. Experiment with different combinations to create powerful grenades and mines.
• Settlement Synergy: Use fertilizer to boost crop yields in settlements with high population density. This ensures that your settlers are well-fed and happy, reducing the risk of rebellion.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use fertilizer to grow other crops besides mutant carrots? Yes, fertilizer can be used to improve the growth of all crops in Fallout 4, including corn, mutfruit, and tatos.

Q2: How often do brahmin produce manure? Brahmin produce manure at a steady rate, typically once every in-game day. Having multiple brahmin will increase the amount of manure you collect.

Q3: Is there a limit to how much fertilizer I can store? No, there’s no limit to how much fertilizer you can store. However, it’s a good idea to use it regularly to avoid cluttering your inventory.

Q4: Can I sell fertilizer for caps? While fertilizer itself isn’t particularly valuable, the items you craft with it (like Jet) can be sold for a significant profit.

Q5: Are mutant carrots safe to eat? Yes, mutant carrots are safe to eat and provide more food value than regular carrots. They’re a great addition to any settlement’s food supply.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to obtain and utilize fertilizer in Fallout 4. Whether you’re crafting chems, improving your settlements, or experimenting with mutant crops, fertilizer is a resource you won’t want to overlook. Happy farming, and may your wasteland adventures be fruitful!