Maize Maze

This web page provides information about the maize maze.

About the Maize Maze

A maize maze (known as a corn maze in the United States) is a maze cut out of a maze field. They are extremely popular in the United States, and are have gained popularity in the United Kingdom in recent years.

Maize mazes are often combined with other farm attractions such as hay rides, pets corner, play areas and picnic areas.

Maize Maze history

Maize mazes began as formal garden mazes in Europe for the wealthiest castles and palaces to entertain royalty. By the 19th century maize mazes became popular entertainment attractions in parks and public places.

Maize Maze creation

Maize mazes appear in many different designs. Some mazes are even created to tell stories or to portray a particular theme. Most have a path, which goes all around the whole pattern, either to end in the middle or to come back out again.

To create a maize maze farmers must carefully plan their production, design, and marketing strategy. There are six key checkpoints when creating a maize maze:

  1. Planting the correct variety of maize is important for the success of a maize maze. Stalk strength and height are something farmers must consider when selecting the right hybrid to plant.
  2. Farmers must watch for stalk rot since it is one of the most frequently observed diseases. Key factors for stalk rot include improper fertilisation, moisture stress, and disease development.
  3. Moderate plant population (approximately 20,000 plants per acre) would be considered ideal. If moderate plant population is not followed crop crowding can occur.
  4. Since farmers planting for maize mazes are not growing the crop for maximum yield one must be careful to not apply too much nitrogen fertiliser. Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension recommends the total nitrogen rate for the season should not exceed about 125 pounds per acre.
  5. Maize maze crops should be planted from mid to late May. This is two to three weeks later than crops being planted for grain
  6. When cutting the walkways farmers must cut the internal growing point of the stalk off to avoid regrowth.