Dreaming of that satisfying ‘thwack’ as you unearth precious fossils or plant your favorite flowers with unparalleled speed? The Golden Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is more than just a tool; it’s a symbol of dedication and a significant upgrade to your island life.
Many players wonder about the secrets to acquiring this coveted item. Getting your hands on the Golden Shovel requires a bit of patience and a specific achievement, but it’s entirely within your reach. We’ll guide you step-by-step on how to obtain this golden marvel and what makes it so special.
Unlocking the Secrets to the Golden Shovel in Acnh
The Golden Shovel is one of the most sought-after tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Its durability and ability to plant two saplings at once make it an invaluable asset for any island decorator or avid collector. But how do you actually get your hands on one? The secret lies in achieving a specific milestone related to your gardening efforts.
The Key: The ‘flower Tender’ Achievement
The primary requirement for obtaining the Golden Shovel DIY recipe is to achieve the ‘Flower Tender’ (or ‘Green Thumb’ in some regions) Nook Miles achievement. This achievement is awarded for successfully growing 100 flowers on your island. Yes, you read that right – 100 flowers!
What Counts as a ‘grown’ Flower?
It’s important to understand what the game considers a ‘grown’ flower for this achievement. This means flowers that have been successfully planted and have bloomed. Simply buying seeds or picking flowers doesn’t contribute to this count. You need to actively plant them and let them grow to maturity.
Strategies for Reaching 100 Grown Flowers Efficiently
Reaching 100 grown flowers might sound daunting, but there are several smart ways to speed up the process:
- Start Planting Immediately: Don’t wait! Begin planting flowers from day one. Buy seeds from Nook’s Cranny or Leif, or collect them from mystery islands.
- Variety is Key (and Fun!): Mix up the types of flowers you plant. Different flowers have different growth times and aesthetics, making your island more vibrant.
- Cross-Pollination: While not strictly necessary for the achievement, experimenting with cross-pollination to create hybrid flowers is a rewarding long-term goal that also contributes to your flower count.
- Use Leif’s Garden Shop: Leif often sells unique flower seeds and bushes, providing a good source for expanding your floral collection.
- Island Tours: Visit mystery islands and gather flower seeds. Some islands are exclusively filled with specific types of flowers.
- Clear Out Weeds: While you’re at it, clearing out weeds also contributes to a Nook Miles achievement (‘Weeding Away’).
It’s crucial to remember that the game tracks flowers that have bloomed. So, if you plant seeds and they sprout but don’t fully bloom, they might not count towards the achievement. Ensure they reach their full flowering stage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining the Golden Shovel Diy Recipe
- Plant Your Way to 100 Flowers: Systematically plant flower seeds or saplings across your island. Focus on areas where you want to create gardens or natural landscapes.
- Water and Nurture: While not strictly required for the achievement itself, watering your flowers can help them grow faster and produce more seeds, indirectly aiding your progress.
- Check Your Nook Miles App: Periodically open your Nook Miles app on your NookPhone. Navigate to the ‘Achievements’ tab. Look for the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement. It will show your progress towards the 100-flower goal.
- Claim Your Reward: Once you’ve successfully grown your 100th flower and it has bloomed, the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement will be completed. You’ll receive a notification and a reward of 3,000 Nook Miles.
- Visit the Resident Services Terminal: Immediately after claiming the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement, head to the Nook Stop terminal in your Resident Services building.
- Purchase the DIY Recipe: In the ‘Redeem Nook Miles’ section of the terminal, you will find the ‘Golden Shovel DIY’ recipe available for purchase. It costs 3,000 Nook Miles.
Congratulations! You’ve now unlocked the ability to craft your very own Golden Shovel. (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)
Crafting Your Golden Shovel: What You’ll Need
Once you have the DIY recipe, you’ll need to gather the necessary materials to craft it. The Golden Shovel requires:
- 1 Shovel
- 1 Iron Nugget
You can craft a regular shovel using 3 pieces of hardwood. Iron Nuggets can be found by hitting rocks on your island with a shovel or axe. Make sure you have a reliable source of both materials.
Where to Craft Your Golden Shovel
You can craft your Golden Shovel at any DIY workbench. This includes the one in your home, any DIY workbenches you might have placed on your island, or the DIY workbench available at Residential Services.
Understanding the Golden Shovel’s Benefits
The Golden Shovel isn’t just a shiny trophy; it offers tangible advantages:
- Enhanced Durability: Golden tools are known for their significantly higher durability compared to their iron or flimsy counterparts. This means you’ll be able to use your Golden Shovel for much longer before it breaks. While not truly ‘unbreakable’ like some myths suggest, it lasts considerably longer, reducing the need for frequent crafting.
- Planting Two Saplings: This is the most game-changing feature. When you use the Golden Shovel to dig up a spot and plant a sapling (like a tree or a flower), it automatically plants two saplings in that single action! This is incredibly useful for quickly growing forests, creating dense hedges, or filling in flower beds rapidly.
- Fossil Digging: While it doesn’t offer a speed boost for digging up fossils, its durability means you can excavate many fossils without worrying about your tool breaking mid-dig.
Tips for Maximizing Your Golden Shovel Usage
- Prioritize Planting: The ‘plant two saplings’ perk is best utilized when you’re actively trying to grow trees or fill large areas with flowers.
- Keep a Regular Shovel Handy: While the Golden Shovel is excellent, it’s still a good idea to have a few regular shovels on hand for less critical tasks or if you’re worried about losing your Golden Shovel if it were to break (though its durability makes this unlikely).
- Don’t Forget the DIY Recipe: If your Golden Shovel does break (which is rare), you can simply craft another one using the same DIY recipe!
- Consider Multiple Golden Shovels: Once you have the recipe, you can craft as many Golden Shovels as you need, provided you have the materials. Some players like to have a spare just in case.
Common Questions About the Golden Shovel
Do I Need to Water the Flowers for the Achievement?
No, watering flowers is not a direct requirement for the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement. The achievement is based solely on planting and having 100 flowers bloom on your island.
Can I Get the Golden Shovel Before Completing the ‘flower Tender’ Achievement?
No, the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement is the prerequisite. You must complete it and earn the Nook Miles before the Golden Shovel DIY recipe becomes available for purchase at the Nook Stop.
What Happens If My Golden Shovel Breaks?
If your Golden Shovel breaks, you will need to craft a new one using the DIY recipe and the required materials (1 Shovel, 1 Iron Nugget). It’s not a one-time item. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)
Does the Golden Shovel Help with Digging Up Fossils Faster?
No, the Golden Shovel does not increase the speed at which you dig up fossils. Its main benefits are its high durability and the ability to plant two saplings at once.
Can I Buy the Golden Shovel Directly?
No, you cannot purchase the Golden Shovel directly. You must obtain the DIY recipe and craft it yourself.
What If I Accidentally Sell the Golden Shovel Diy Recipe?
If you accidentally sell or discard the Golden Shovel DIY recipe, you can re-purchase it from the Nook Stop terminal using Nook Miles, provided you have already completed the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement.
Are There Other ‘golden Tools’ in Acnh?
Yes, there are several other Golden Tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, each unlocked through different achievements. These include the Golden Axe, Golden Fishing Rod, Golden Net, Golden Watering Can, and Golden Slingshot. Each requires a specific, often challenging, in-game accomplishment to unlock its DIY recipe.
How Long Does a Golden Shovel Last?
While the exact number of uses isn’t officially stated, Golden Tools are significantly more durable than their Iron counterparts. They are designed to last for a very long time, allowing for extensive use before needing replacement.
Can I Plant Two Trees at Once with the Golden Shovel?
Yes, the Golden Shovel’s ability to plant two saplings applies to both tree saplings and flower seeds/plants. This makes it excellent for terraforming and landscaping large areas quickly.
Is It Worth Grinding for 100 Flowers?
For players who enjoy gardening, decorating their island, or aiming for 5-star island ratings, the 100 flowers are a natural progression. The Golden Shovel’s unique ‘plant two’ ability is a significant quality-of-life improvement that makes many island tasks much faster and more efficient, making the grind well worth it for many. (See Also: how to shovel without hurting your back)
Can I Use the Golden Shovel to Dig Up Buried Treasure?
Yes, you can use the Golden Shovel to dig up buried treasure chests, just like any other shovel. Its durability ensures you can dig up many treasures without it breaking.
Does the Golden Shovel Dig Up Money Trees Faster?
No, the Golden Shovel does not speed up the process of digging up money trees. It functions the same as a regular shovel for this purpose, but its durability is a plus.
What Is the Fastest Way to Get 100 Flowers?
The fastest way involves consistent planting. Buy seeds from Nook’s Cranny or Leif regularly, visit mystery islands for more seeds, and dedicate specific areas to flower cultivation. The more you plant, the quicker you’ll reach the 100-bloom milestone. Consider planting flowers that grow quickly or have multiple blooms per season.
Can I Plant Flowers in Pots and Have Them Count?
No, flowers planted in pots do not count towards the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement. They must be planted directly into the ground on your island.
What Is the Next Step After Getting the Golden Shovel?
Once you have the Golden Shovel, you might want to aim for other Golden Tools! Each requires a different achievement, such as catching many fish for the Golden Fishing Rod or catching many bugs for the Golden Net. Continue playing, achieving milestones, and collecting those Nook Miles!
Conclusion
Acquiring the Golden Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a rewarding journey that celebrates your dedication to gardening. By focusing on the ‘Flower Tender’ achievement and planting your way to 100 bloomed flowers, you’ll unlock the DIY recipe from the Nook Stop. This coveted tool, crafted with a regular shovel and an iron nugget, boasts superior durability and the unique ability to plant two saplings at once, significantly speeding up your island development and landscaping efforts.
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