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Photo by Amy Baugess on Unsplash
There aren’t many times in life where people look at each other and say, “Let’s go spend money to get lost.” So how corn mazes became so popular isn’t clear…
Actually…it is super clear, they are awesome! Mazes of any kind are enjoyable for the mental test they put you through. They test your memory, sense of direction, teamwork, and more. They are very enjoyable as small groups, large groups, and even for families with younger children.
If you are considering starting a corn maze there are several steps to consider. These steps are strictly the how-to and, assuming you are authorized to get started, these don’t include getting any necessary licenses, procuring land, etc.
Be Creative!
If it has always been your dream to design a maze that looks like a movie character, pop culture icon, or just some wacky design then you will flourish in this stage. Creativity is vital to make sure that whatever design you use, it won’t be easily figured out.
Many mazes just utilize rows, they don’t follow a picture. These are simpler to make when actually cutting corn, but you need to make sure your designs are super easy to figure out. This method can take a ton of effort as well.
Planning
After the brainstorming comes to the conceptual designing phase. You need to go and make a design of the maze. One easy way is to go into a program that will let you create your design exactly as you want it. Easy is relative, it will probably take you a long time to get it just right.
After that, the easiest way to bring your design to life is to put a grid over your design, either on the computer or on printed paper. This will allow you to accurately cut the corn in the next phases.
Mowing
When cutting the corn, you need to make sure you are using pinpoint accuracy. Messing up can cause a ruined design, or the maze might just look or feel weird.
Many people use a GPS to guide you where to cut the corn. It will ensure that you are doing so according to your designs. Other elect to just use their eyes and discipline in order to cut in the right pattern.
Maintaining
You are not done once the corn is cut, there is still a lot of work to do. The paths need to stay clear of plant debris and ideally clear of weeds and other eye-sores. You will need to go through the paths and clear this stuff out as it grows if you elect to leave the paths uncovered.
One easy maintenance method is to spread something like straw along the paths. This will help prevent a lot of growth on the paths. It will also help people to see what is and isn’t a path. You won’t have people wandering through random rows of corn that way. It will take a little more effort to go spread and rake the straw but will be well worth it in the long run.
Conclusion
Building a corn maze can be a lot of work, but if you have an eye for design, a hard work ethic, and a good tractor you can definitely do it. Corn mazes can be very lucrative businesses that add value to the area where they are built, but arguably the most important aspect of a corn maze is that they will definitely provide a great experience for people of all ages this fall.