Corn mazes and pumpkin patches open this weekend in Pierce County. How are mazes made?

Stalks of corn 11 feet high whisper in the breeze of a Puyallup field Thursday afternoon. It’s easy to get lost if you’re not careful, the dirt path among them winding and curling without any particular pattern.

The corn maze at Double R Farms is one of several in Pierce County that open this weekend as Tacoma ushers in fall. The News Tribune took a visit to learn more about what it takes to make a corn maze and what fall activities local farms have to offer.

How is a maze made?

Ric Ruiz has been making the Double R Farm corn maze at 5820 44th St. E. for more than 20 years. Each maze is different from the last. More than 6,000 people explore it every year.

In the summer, Ruiz starts by planting five acres of field corn, which is primarily used to feed cattle. In August, when the plants are about a foot high, he sprays the crops for weeds, takes his tractor and seven-foot tiller and cuts a random windy path through the stalks. A man Ruiz and his wife, Geri, knows later uses his drone to take a picture of the field from above, which they use to make a map to hand out to visitors in October.

On the first of November Ruiz mows the maze to the ground and chops it into pieces. The corn and stalks then decay over the winter, adding nutrients back to the soil.

Most corn mazes are made the same way Ruiz does it, but some farmers hire companies to plant corn in a specific pattern or design, he said.

Ruiz said he tries to make the maze challenging but not overly so, to make it kid-friendly and prevent visitors from getting lost or trampling through the corn off-path when they get frustrated. It usually takes people about 20 minutes to complete the maze, which has checkpoints spread throughout, Ruiz said.

Conditions are good this year, Ruiz told The News Tribune Thursday. It’s not too muddy or windy, which can level the maze or alter its shape.

The farm has been in their family for almost 90 years, since her grandfather bought it in 1937, Geri Ruiz said. In addition to the corn maze, the couple sells zinnias in the summer and gourds, squashes and pumpkins in the fall. They also offer hayrides and pumpkin slingshots.

“We have people that have come here every single year,” Geri Ruiz said, noting they’ve watched children grow up over years. “I take that as a huge compliment that they come back here.”

What other corn mazes and pumpkin patches open this weekend?

This weekend kicks off Spooner Farms’ annual Harvest Festival that runs through Oct. 31. The six-generation Puyallup farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will have activities including farm animals, pumpkin slingshot, corn maze and a speedway. Address: 9710 State Route 162 E., Puyallup.

Sidhu Farms’ Bigfoot-themed pumpkin patch opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 31. The family-owned Puyallup berry farm features an alien-invasion themed corn maze, bouncy houses, food trucks, sling shots, train rides and more. It’s also pet friendly. Address: 15018 96th St. E, Puyallup.

Maris Farms Haunted Woods opens Saturday, and events run through Oct. 27. Friday’s Boo’s and Bites event includes an intimate dinner and exclusive walk through the haunted woods. Family-friendly activities include a corn maze, pig and duck races, hay wagon and candy cannon. Address: 25001 Sumner-Buckley Highway, Buckley.

The McMillin Farm and Brewhouse ’s pumpkin patch opens Friday. On Saturday you can sip on craft beer, walk through a corn maze, watch the Pioneer Highland Games feats of strength and pick through winter squashes, decorative gourds and local produce. Address: 12517 State Rte 162 E., Puyallup.

Sterino Farms opens its pumpkin patch and corn maze on Friday and will be doing hayrides on the weekends. A night maze will be open the first three weekends of October, according to their Facebook page. Shop pumpkins and fall produce and maybe even grab a burger or berry shake. Main farm address: 6116 52nd St. E., Puyallup.