The 2018 Maize Maze is set within an entirely new Pumpkin Patch site – and with a total path length of nearly 3500 metres, one of the largest – of any of the maize mazes previously installed at Undley Pumpkin Patch. The 2018 one takes the form of a scarecrow pushing a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins and its creation is the result of skill, design, farming and technology.
The pathway splits, loops and re-converges at over 70 decision points during the journey. Keeping in mind that pathways can be travelled more than once depending upon the decisions made, this number of decision points could even double.
What it’s taken to create the 2018 Maize Maze
Maize Maze – Created by GPS
1. Locate the field and crop area within so that the overall maze design area can be defined and plan entrance/exit location.
2. The outline design concept takes a couple of days to create.
3. Once refined and agreed the design is then drawn up to scale which takes another day or two.
4. When the final design is done, we place an additional centre-line into the drawing to mark the path centres and convert the drawing to a CAD format and scale to real world dimensions. The maze design can then be geolocated into the field using further software to prepare for GPS marking.
5. Maze marking is undertaken by a specialist GPS survey company. This consists of placing hundreds of marker points along the path edges and centre-line where appropriate. These are then transposed onto the ground using handheld or backpack device which is linked to a number of satellite signals from the GPS satellite system.
6. Marking paint is used on the ground to define the pathways within the maze. The marking process can take between 2 and four days depending on the size and complexity of the maze.
7. Maize plants growing within the paths are then removed to create the maze. This process would normally take 1-2 days, although the paths may need to be cleared should any re-growth of maize or weed encroach into the paths during the growing season.