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Turning a field into a maze
So, just how does a corn field become a corn maze? Each year, James and Patti Simpson start by coming up with a design for their maze. This year's design of an eagle and the American flag came about because the family wanted to show their patriotism. Other past designs have included the Texas Tech Red Raider mascot, and an outline of the shape of Texas complete with paths that followed the main roads across the state and various large cities marked within the maze. Once they've chosen a design, they send off a rendering to their maze consultant firm, which will transfer it into a grid pattern that matches the field's dimensions. Production decisions for a corn maze are different than for a regular corn field. For example, the Simpsons will plant their corn in vertical and horizontal rows, so that the corn grows in denser than a normal field. This more dense corn will create better walls for the maze. "We'll plant about 50,000 plants per acre which is at least a third more than most farmers," James said. The corn they plant has a Herculex complex that makes it resistant to seven types of worms. In addition, the Simpsons plant conventional corn varieties as a refuge. They plant the east to west rows to conventional varieties and the north to south rows to their genetically modified corn. Because they aren't concerned with producing a crop, the Simpsons aren't worried if their corn doesn't produce an ear. "I like to plant the corn in late to end of June, which makes it susceptible to insects, but lets us have standing corn longer into the season," James said. Besides having to spray for weeds and bugs, the Simpsons have to turn off their furrow irrigation while the corn is in mid-milk so that they have time to go through the maze and flatten out the paths for the safety of their visitors. When the corn is still young, the Simpsons and their help will go through the field in the grid pattern and spray Roundup to kill the corn and create paths for the future maze. They use a backpack sprayer with three nozzles that creates a 40-inch wide swath. They'll also spray for mosquitoes so that the visitors are more comfortable. While the maze is in production, it's important to maintain it for visitor comfort and to protect the maze's integrity. That's where the "Corn Cops" come in. "We have rules for the visitors," Patti said. "Don't pick the corn. Don't throw the corn. Don't take shortcuts through it. Don't run." After the last of the corn maze visitors tour the farm, the Simpsons will let the corn dry down to about 8 to 9 percent moisture and then harvest it with a regular corn header. "Last year we harvested 165 bushel corn," James said. They sell it to the Texas Tech University Ag Farm, which feeds it to its hog and steer operation. And, while other crops can be made into mazes--some operators have experimented with sorghum sudans--they tend to blow over easily in the wind, James said. He explained corn is ideal for mazes because of its strong root system. Date: 11/7/07
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