Making a Corn Maze

Have you ever wondered what goes into making a corn maze? When to plant the corn? Is there anything special about the corn?

Bradford Research and Extension Center makes its very own corn maze for the education and use of students and nonprofit groups by using Global Positioning (GPS) to recorde the coordinates of each corner.

Step 1: Planting the Corn

At Bradford, the corn maze is planted after wheat harvest during the last week of June or the first week of July (approximately three months after normal corn planting). The corn is planted later so it will be green during the fall months when people are more likely to want to enjoy a corn maze.

We plant a regular corn crop in 15 inch rows at about double the normal population (60,000) to reduce the temptation of those using the maze to cut through.

Step 2: Designing the Maze

The corn maze is cut out using Global Positioning (GPS). Coordinates of each corner of the corn maze must first be recorded. The maze is then computer drawn and incorporated into the GPS system. (see below)

Step 3: Cutting Out the Corn Maze

Using a self-propelled mower, we cut the corn maze when the corn is about 12-24 inches tall. The growing point should be above ground preventing the corn from growing back after it is cut.

Equipped with a portable GPS unit, one person walks through the corn field as the operator of the mower follows.

Our Computer-Generated Image and Finished Product

2004 Corn Maze