OSRS Basket of Oranges Guide for Farming and Profit
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), the basket of oranges is a seemingly simple item with surprising utility for players engaged in Farming, trading, or questing. This guide dives into everything you need to know about the basket of oranges, from its uses in Farming to its potential for profit in the Grand Exchange. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner looking to optimize your gameplay, understanding this item can enhance your OSRS experience. Let’s explore how to obtain, use, and profit from baskets of oranges, with practical tips to make the most of this niche item.
A basket of oranges is an item that holds up to five oranges, used primarily in the Farming skill to pay gardeners to protect certain crops. It’s a stackable, tradeable item that fits into the broader ecosystem of OSRS Farming, where players grow crops like trees and fruit trees to earn experience and resources. The basket simplifies transporting oranges and is essential for specific Farming tasks.
How to Obtain a Basket of Oranges
You can acquire a basket of oranges through several methods, each suited to different playstyles:
- Grand Exchange: Purchase directly from the Grand Exchange for convenience, typically costing around 1,000-1,500 GP depending on market trends.
- Farming Shops: Buy baskets from Farming shops (e.g., in Catherby or the Farming Guild) and fill them with oranges from fruit trees or NPC merchants.
- Player-Grown Oranges: Grow orange trees in fruit tree patches, harvest oranges, and combine them with an empty basket.
- NPC Merchants: Purchase oranges from fruit stalls in places like Hosidius or from NPC traders, then fill baskets yourself.
Why Use Baskets Instead of Individual Oranges?
Using a basket of oranges saves inventory space, as one basket holds five oranges, reducing the need to carry multiple individual items. This is particularly useful when traveling to Farming patches or managing multiple tree runs. Additionally, gardeners only accept baskets for certain payments, making them a necessity for protecting specific crops.
Uses of Basket of Oranges in Farming
The primary use of a basket of oranges is in the Farming skill, where it serves as a payment to gardeners to ensure crops don’t die. This is especially valuable for high-value trees that take hours to grow, as it guarantees a successful harvest without relying on chance.
Protecting Curry Trees
Baskets of oranges are most commonly used to pay gardeners to watch over curry trees. A single basket is required per curry tree, ensuring it grows to maturity without disease. Curry trees, grown at level 42 Farming, yield curry leaves, which are used in cooking spicy stews or sold for profit. Protecting these trees is a cost-effective way to secure consistent Farming XP and resources.
Other Farming Applications
While curry trees are the primary use, baskets of oranges can also be part of Farming contracts in the Farming Guild. Completing contracts that require growing curry trees or delivering baskets of oranges rewards players with seeds, experience, and guild reputation. Always check your contract requirements to see if oranges are needed.
Profit Potential of Basket of Oranges
While not a get-rich-quick scheme, baskets of oranges can be a steady source of profit for players willing to invest time in Farming or trading. Their value comes from their demand among players training Farming and their relatively low supply in certain contexts.
Grand Exchange Trading
Baskets of oranges fluctuate in price based on demand for curry trees and Farming training. Here’s a breakdown of how to profit:
- Buy Low, Sell High: Monitor Grand Exchange prices and buy baskets when prices dip (e.g., below 1,000 GP). Sell when demand spikes, often during double XP weekends or Farming events.
- Bulk Purchasing: Purchase oranges in bulk from NPC merchants (e.g., in Hosidius) for ~50-100 GP each, combine into baskets, and sell for a markup.
- Farming Runs: Grow orange trees to harvest oranges, fill baskets, and sell them. This method combines Farming XP with profit but requires time investment.
Price Trends and Market Insights
As of May 2025, a basket of oranges typically sells for 1,200-1,500 GP, but prices can vary. Use tools like the OSRS Wiki or GE Tracker to monitor trends. For example, demand may rise when new Farming content is released or during seasonal events that encourage skilling.
| Method | Cost per Basket | Potential Profit | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Exchange Flipping | 1,000-1,200 GP | 200-500 GP per basket | Low |
| Buying Oranges from NPCs | 250-500 GP (5 oranges + basket) | 700-1,000 GP per basket | Medium |
| Growing Orange Trees | ~200 GP (seed + basket) | 1,000-1,300 GP per basket | High |
Tips for Efficient Use of Baskets of Oranges
To maximize the value of baskets of oranges, whether for Farming or profit, follow these practical tips tailored to OSRS gameplay.
Optimize Farming Runs
Incorporate curry tree planting into your Farming runs. Use the following patches for efficiency:
- Catherby: Close to a bank and teleport for quick access.
- Gnome Stronghold: Ideal for players with Spirit Tree access.
- Farming Guild: High-level players can use this for contracts and proximity to seed vaults.
Always bring baskets of oranges to pay gardeners immediately, saving trips and ensuring crop protection.
Stack Baskets for Inventory Management
Since baskets are stackable, carry multiple in your inventory during Farming runs to cover several trees. This is more efficient than carrying individual oranges or making multiple trips to restock.
Leverage Farming Contracts
If you’re in the Farming Guild, accept contracts that involve curry trees or baskets of oranges. These Occupation of these contracts often yields baskets of oranges as rewards, allowing you to focus on growing more trees or trading without worrying about gathering resources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While using baskets of oranges is straightforward, avoid these pitfalls to save time and money.
Overpaying on the Grand Exchange
Always check current GE prices before buying baskets. Overpaying by even 200 GP per basket can add up, especially if you’re buying in bulk for Farming runs or trading.
Ignoring Crop Disease Risks
Failing to pay gardeners with a basket of oranges for curry trees risks disease, which can kill your crop and waste hours of growth time. Always prioritize protection for high-value trees.
Neglecting Farming Contracts
Don’t skip Farming Guild contracts that request baskets of oranges. These are easy to complete if you’re already growing curry trees and offer valuable rewards like seeds or guild points.
The basket of oranges in OSRS is a small but mighty item for players invested in Farming or looking for niche profit opportunities. By using it to protect curry trees, optimize Farming runs, or trade on the Grand Exchange, you can boost your efficiency and earnings. Incorporate the tips above, avoid common mistakes, and leverage tools like GE Tracker to stay ahead of market trends. Whether you’re training Farming to 99 or flipping items for profit, the basket of oranges is a versatile tool in your OSRS arsenal. Start experimenting with it today and see how it fits into your gameplay strategy!