How to Upgrade DNA Machine in Grow a Garden

TL;DR

  • Upgrade the DNA Machine by submitting prehistoric plants to Barry the Raptor NPC
  • Five upgrade levels require 40kg to 120kg of prehistoric fruit respectively
  • Each upgrade significantly reduces wait times for dinosaur and primal egg trades
  • Prehistoric plants come exclusively from Ancient Seed packs found throughout the game
  • Maximizing upgrades unlocks exclusive pets and dramatically improves gameplay efficiency

The DNA Machine represents a revolutionary game mechanic introduced during the Prehistoric update for Grow a Garden, designed specifically to address player concerns about lengthy pet acquisition processes. This sophisticated device enables players to exchange standard pets for highly sought-after dinosaur companions and their corresponding eggs. The recent implementation of upgrade capabilities has transformed what was once a tedious waiting game into an engaging progression system that rewards strategic resource management.

Prehistoric plants serve as the exclusive currency for DNA Machine enhancements, obtainable solely through Ancient Seed packs scattered throughout the gaming environment. These botanical specimens contain genetic material essential for accelerating the machine’s processing capabilities. Each upgrade tier unlocks progressively more efficient trade mechanisms and reduces cooldown periods between transactions.

Upgrading your DNA Machine delivers substantial gameplay advantages, including dramatically shortened wait times for dinosaur egg production and access to exclusive primal eggs unavailable through standard gameplay. The system features five distinct upgrade levels, each requiring specific quantities of prehistoric fruit to complete. This tiered approach ensures players can gradually improve their capabilities while maintaining engagement through achievable milestones.

Begin your upgrade journey by navigating to the central play area where the DNA Machine stands adjacent to the Dinosaur Egg stall. Here you’ll encounter Barry the Raptor, a newly introduced NPC character distinguished by his construction headgear, who oversees all enhancement operations.

  • Initiate interaction with Barry the Raptor by pressing the ‘E‘ key when positioned within interaction range.
  • Ensure you possess prehistoric plants in your inventory before approaching. If lacking these resources, prioritize acquiring Ancient Seed packs from various game locations.
  • While holding a prehistoric plant, select the “Take all my prehistoric plants” dialogue option to transfer your botanical resources.
  • Monitor the blue progress indicator above Barry’s head, repeating the submission process until the bar completely fills, signaling upgrade completion.
  • upgrade DNA machine Grow a Garden

    Pro Tip: Always gather multiple prehistoric plants before initiating the upgrade process to minimize back-and-forth travel. The submission interface allows bulk transfers, making it more efficient to collect resources in larger quantities before visiting Barry.

    Upgrade Level Requirement
    1 40kg prehistoric fruit
    2 60kg prehistoric fruit
    3 80kg prehistoric fruit
    4 100kg prehistoric fruit
    5 120kg prehistoric fruit

    The upgrade progression follows a carefully calibrated difficulty curve, with each level requiring an additional 20kg of prehistoric fruit beyond the previous requirement. This incremental design allows players to experience consistent progression while the increasing resource demands encourage continued engagement with the game’s farming mechanics.

    Strategic Insight: The total resource investment for reaching maximum upgrade level amounts to 400kg of prehistoric fruit. Planning your farming sessions around this total requirement can help optimize your time management and resource allocation strategies.

    Upgrade Dino DNA machine Grow a Garden

    Mastering the DNA Machine upgrade system requires more than just understanding the basic mechanics—it demands strategic planning and efficient execution. One common mistake players make is attempting upgrades with insufficient resources, resulting in multiple trips that waste valuable gameplay time. Instead, establish a dedicated farming route that maximizes your prehistoric plant yield per session.

    Efficient Resource Collection: Focus on areas with high Ancient Seed pack spawn rates, typically near geological formations or specific vegetation clusters. The game’s day/night cycle may also affect spawn rates, with some players reporting increased drops during specific in-game hours.

    Avoid These Pitfalls: Many players underestimate the time investment required for maximum upgrades. The complete upgrade process typically requires 8-12 hours of dedicated farming, depending on your efficiency and knowledge of optimal spawn locations.

    Trading Pets with Graham Grow a Garden
    Image Credit: Grow a Garden/Roblox (screenshot by Ishan Adhikary/Beebom)

    Post-Upgrade Advantages: Once you achieve the fifth upgrade tier, you’ll experience dramatically reduced wait times—typically decreasing from several hours to just minutes for premium dinosaur egg trades. This efficiency boost transforms the pet acquisition process from a waiting game into an active progression system. For comprehensive gaming strategies beyond DNA upgrades, consult our Complete Guide to maximize your overall gameplay experience.

    The upgraded DNA Machine doesn’t just speed up existing processes—it unlocks entirely new gameplay possibilities. Primal eggs, accessible only through fully upgraded machines, contain exclusive dinosaur variants with unique abilities and appearances not available through standard gameplay channels.

    Action Checklist

    • Locate Ancient Seed packs in high-yield areas and collect prehistoric plants
    • Visit Barry the Raptor at the central DNA Machine location
    • Submit required prehistoric fruit quantities for each upgrade level
    • Monitor blue progress bar above Barry’s head during submissions
    • Utilize fully upgraded machine for rapid dinosaur and primal egg trades

    No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » How to Upgrade DNA Machine in Grow a Garden Master the DNA Machine upgrades in Grow a Garden to unlock rare dinosaur pets faster with this comprehensive guide