Farming in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the most profitable and rewarding skills in the game. It may not be as flashy as bossing or as fast-paced as PvP, but a well-planned farming run can generate massive profits, steady supplies of herbs for training and potions, and even passive experience while you focus on other skills. Many players underestimate farming because of its “time-gated” nature, but the truth is simple: if you master farm runs, you’ll create a steady gold-making machine.

This guide is designed to be the only farm run guide you’ll ever need, covering the best routes, patches, tools, and strategies to maximize profit and experience. Whether you’re just unlocking Farming Guild patches or you’re a veteran shooting for max efficiency, this walkthrough will make your runs seamless.

Why Do Farm Runs in OSRS?

Farm runs are about more than just experience. They’re one of the few skilling activities where time efficiency beats grind efficiency. You plant crops, log out or go do other activities, and when you return, your patches have grown into gold-making machines.

Benefits of Farm Runs:

Profit: Herbs like Ranarr, Torstol, and Snapdragon can earn millions of GP per week.

Experience: Farming herbs and trees gives solid XP returns for very little active time.

Convenience: Supplies for Herblore and Cooking can be grown yourself, reducing reliance on the Grand Exchange.

Passive Gains: Farming happens in real time, meaning you can level other skills while waiting.

Essential Tools for Farm Runs

Before starting a run, always gear up with the right tools. Nothing slows down a farming trip like forgetting a rake or teleport.

Must-Have Items:

Magic secateurs: Increases herb yield by 10%. Essential for profit runs.

Seed dibber: For planting seeds in empty patches.

Rake: Clears weeds from patches.

Spade: For harvesting crops.

Bottomless compost bucket (if affordable): Saves inventory space and guarantees compost.

Teleport jewelry & runes: To speed between patches.

Farming outfit (if unlocked): Boosts XP gained per patch.

Having these on hand (or stored in your tool leprechaun) ensures smooth runs every time.

Herb Run Guide

Herb runs are the backbone of profitable farming. They’re quick, consistent, and lucrative.

Best Herbs to Plant (Profit vs Level):

Ranarr (32 Farming): Early profit king thanks to Prayer potion demand.

Snapdragon (62 Farming): Mid-game herb with solid GP returns.

Torstol (85 Farming): Late-game high-profit herb, especially during Herblore demand spikes.

Recommended Herb Run Route:

Ardougne patch (near Ardougne Cloak teleport).

Catherby patch (near bank and spirit tree).

Falador patch (south of city).

Varrock patch (north-east by the church).

Farming Guild patch (if 45 Farming, expands to multiple patches with higher level).

Tips:

Always use ultracompost for maximum yield.

Wear magic secateurs every run.

Check patches often to minimize disease losses.

A full herb run takes 5–7 minutes and can yield hundreds of thousands of GP.

Tree Runs for XP

Herbs are for profit; trees are for Farming XP. A tree run takes more time and money, but nothing levels the skill faster.

Types of Trees Worth Planting:

Oak/Wilow (15–30 Farming): Cheap beginner trees.

Maple/Yew (45–60 Farming): Solid mid-level XP.

Magic (75 Farming): Costly but high XP gains.

Fruit Trees (27+ Farming): Supplement normal trees with additional XP per run.

Recommended Tree Run Route:

Normal Trees: Lumbridge, Falador Park, Taverley, Varrock, Tree Gnome Stronghold.

Fruit Trees: Catherby, Brimhaven, Gnome Stronghold, Tree Gnome Village, Lletya (if unlocked).

Tips:

Always pay the gardener to protect expensive trees.

Group normal trees with fruit trees for maximum efficiency.

If funds are tight, alternate between herb runs for profit and tree runs for XP.

Allotments, Bushes, and Special Crops

While herbs and trees dominate, don’t ignore other patch types:

Allotments: Best for Ironmen needing steady supplies (like potatoes, sweetcorn, or watermelons). Profitable only with certain crops like Snape Grass.

Bushes: Good passive XP with berry crops, but not essential for profit-focused players.

Special Crops: Like Hespori seeds (Farming Guild), Spirit Trees, or Celastrus trees for unique benefits.

If you’re chasing Farming cape or account self-sufficiency, these add variety and passive income.

Teleport Efficiency: The Key to Faster Runs

The biggest bottleneck in farm runs isn’t planting or harvesting—it’s travel. The best players use optimized teleports:

Ardougne cloak (for Ardougne patch).

Catherby teleport (via Lunar spellbook).

Explorer’s ring or Falador teleport (for Falador patch).

Varrock teleport (Varrock patch).

Spirit trees or Farming Guild teleport (for guild patches).

Cutting down travel time means you can complete more runs per day.

Advanced Tips for Serious Farmers

Time Your Runs: Herbs take 80 minutes, trees take ~8 hours. Plan runs around your play sessions.

Stack Multiple Runs: Combine herb, tree, fruit tree, and allotment runs into one big farming session.

Farm Contracts: At the Farming Guild, farm contracts provide excellent XP, seeds, and rewards.

Herb Protection: Use disease protection spells (Lunar spellbook) if you want to minimize losses.

Farming in OSRS isn’t just about planting seeds—it’s about planting profits. By mastering herb runs for OSRS gold, tree runs for XP, and efficient teleport routes for time savings, you’ll turn Farming into one of the most rewarding skills in your account.

A good farmer doesn’t just grow crops; they grow wealth. Stick to this guide, and you’ll discover why players call Farming the “lazy man’s money-maker” in Old School RuneScape.