All ages
Paths cut through a field of yellow sun hemp, which is here to feed the soil.
The maze is cut through a standing field of sun hemp, six feet of it in places, in full yellow flower. Dead ends that look exactly like the way out, and bees working the whole thing while you walk it.
Why it is not a corn maze
We grow the maze from sun hemp, also called sunn hemp, because this cover crop helps prepare our fields between plantings. It grows fast and tall in Florida’s summer heat and gives visitors a flower maze that is included with admission.
As a legume, sun hemp works with root bacteria to capture nitrogen from the air. Returning the plants to the soil adds organic matter and nitrogen for later crops. It also helps crowd out weeds and can reduce some root-knot nematodes, soil pests that damage plant roots.
UF/IFAS describes sunn hemp as a promising cover crop for Florida. Our maze gives this useful crop another role: a place for families to explore the farm.
You should know
- Bees are working the flowers. They are busy and not interested in you, but bare feet are a bad idea.
- Full sun the whole way through. Water bottle, hat.
- Strollers will not fit through the paths. Leave them at the entrance.
- Late afternoon is when the yellow really goes.
- Ages
- All Ages
- How long
- 20 to 40 minutes
- Cost
- Included
- Shade
- None