As we continue to get deeper into summer, farmers around Southwestern Ontario are getting to work creating one of their most popular attractions of the year: corn mazes. But what goes into the creation and how long does it take? LFP’s Ryan Goodison spoke with corn maze creators around London to learn five interesting things you didn’t know about them.
At Kustermans Adventure Farm in Mt. Brydges, where the corn maze opens near the end of September, work on the five-acre attraction begins in December.
Noah Vanderelst, Kustermans’ crop manager, says the process starts with the farm’s outsourced maze designer. Together, they choose a theme before the layout is created.
“It’s really almost a year before guests are actually in the maze when that process starts,” Vanderelst said.
Planting begins in early May, followed by cutting the maze in June, when the corn is about a foot tall and easier to work with. Crews then spend the summer maintaining the crop until opening day.
The biggest challenge is one every farmer knows well: the weather.
“You could have a rain event when you’re trying to plant, and it takes you out of the field for a couple of days,” he said.
It’s a similar process at Apple Land Station in Thorndale, where the maze opens on Labour Day weekend.
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