How do you unlock the camp’s herb garden?

Unlocking the camp’s herb garden in Red Dead Redemption 2 is a valuable upgrade that allows you to grow and harvest herbs for crafting, cooking, and medicinal purposes. This upgrade is tied to the camp ledger, which is managed by Dutch’s tent. To unlock the herb garden, you must first progress through the story and complete specific tasks to gain access to the ledger and upgrade system.\n\nTo begin, you need to reach Chapter 2 of the story. This is when the camp ledger becomes available. The ledger is located near Dutch’s tent in the center of the camp. Interact with it to view available upgrades. The herb garden is one of the many upgrades you can purchase, but it requires a significant amount of money and resources.\n\nBefore you can purchase the herb garden, you must first unlock the ability to upgrade the camp. This is done by completing the mission ''Money Lending and Other Sins I,'' which is given by Leopold Strauss. This mission introduces you to the camp’s donation box and ledger system. Once completed, you will have access to the ledger and can start contributing funds to the camp’s coffers.\n\nTo unlock the herb garden, you need to purchase the ''Seed Upgrade'' from the ledger. This upgrade costs $225 and is listed under the ''Provisions'' section. Once purchased, the herb garden will be built near Pearson’s wagon, and you can start planting and harvesting herbs. The garden provides a steady supply of common herbs like oregano, thyme, and mint, which are essential for crafting tonics and improving your health, stamina, and dead eye cores.\n\nOne common challenge players face is gathering enough money to afford the upgrade. Early in the game, $225 can feel like a significant amount. To earn money quickly, consider hunting and selling pelts, completing side missions, or looting enemies and abandoned buildings. For example, the Limpany sheriff’s office near Horseshoe Overlook has a lockbox containing gold bars, which can be sold for $500 each. This is a quick way to fund your camp upgrades.\n\nAnother tip is to prioritize the herb garden upgrade if you plan to craft a lot of tonics or cook recipes that require herbs. The garden saves time by providing a reliable source of herbs without needing to explore the wilderness. Additionally, the garden’s herbs respawn over time, so you can harvest them repeatedly.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the herb garden requires progressing to Chapter 2, completing the ''Money Lending and Other Sins I'' mission, and purchasing the Seed Upgrade for $225 from the camp ledger. Focus on earning money through hunting, looting, and side missions to afford the upgrade quickly. Once unlocked, the herb garden becomes a valuable resource for crafting and cooking, making it a worthwhile investment for any player.\n\nPractical tips: Always check the garden after returning to camp, as herbs will respawn. Use the garden to stockpile herbs for crafting tonics like Potent Health Cure or Potent Dead Eye Tonic. This will give you an edge in combat and exploration. Additionally, consider pairing the herb garden with other camp upgrades, such as the leatherworking tools, to maximize your crafting potential.