The Science Behind How Corn Mazes Are Made

Each year a park near my home hosts a fall festival that includes a giant corn maze. Corn mazes are a popular attraction and the one near me, which has a different theme each year, is no exception. People come from miles around to try their luck at correctly navigating the endless turns, small hills and miles of path to find their way to the exit, some being more adapt at navigating than others are. I have often wondered how someone could use a tractor to carve a path through a field or fields of corn stalks to resemble a specific picture or design so accurately. After a little research, I found out that it is not as difficult as one might think, especially when human talent, modern technology and old-fashioned farming are combined to get the job done.

When planning a corn maze, the first thing that is needed is the plan. How many acres do you want to use? What type of corn? Will you have other structures inside the maze, such as towers? Do you want your corn maze to be based on a theme, notable place or memorable person?

The next step is the corn mazes' design. Many places that have a corn maze tend to go with a theme, such as pirates, western, or superheroes. Some may choose a more natural theme such as a vase of flowers, grove of trees, or mountain range. The bust of a well-known person is also a favorite design. This is where the human aspect and technology start to interact. Once a picture is decided on, a person, who designs corn mazes, will input the design into a computer, which will lay out the paths.

While the design is being taken care of, the farmer is busy tilling the ground and planting the corn. He will plant the corn in two directions to create a denser crop of corn stalks. When the corn reaches about a foot high, the corn maze designer will use a special tractor equipped with a GPS tracking system to cut the design though the corn field using a plow. The tractor and GPS allows the maze designer to cut an accurate path through the field according to the design layout.

Once the paths have been plowed, there only needs to be basic upkeep of weed removal and widening of paths as the summer progresses and the corn grows tall. This is also the time for placement of path markers and tower installation.

Once the corn reaches approximately 10 feet tall, you can open the fields to the maze wanderers.

NOTE: Always provide each maze participant with a map of the maze.

Source: Maze Catalog