Minecraft wiki entry for Sugar_cane_farming, associated text: A more efficient grid pattern design can also be used. This design has 4 sugar canes per water source, so it is highly compact. The downsides are that is more difficult to both build and harvest. The difficulty in harvesting can be removed by placing lily pads or something similar on top of all water blocks. This makes the ground smooth and easy for the player to walk on without falling. Light blocks can be used under or above the water to prevent mob spawning. Since waterlogged blocks now exist, easily obtained slabs or trapdoors can be placed in the upper half of the water sources instead of lily pads without interfering with their ability to sustain plant growth.