Maybe you have to be a Midwesterner to believe this, but do you know that you can actually hear corn growing?
Let me tell you about an experience Austen and I had. Austen, a Havanese, and I are constant traveling companions. One adventure last summer took us to a local farm where we had seen a hand lettered sign that bid us to “Pick your own sweet corn”. The words “pick your own strawberries” had been crossed out.
There was another farm further down the road with a sign that read “Pick your own tomatoes”. And there was yet another farm that offered “Fresh zucchini for the picking”. What’s next: watercress? It was all too heavenly, and right here on the road to my home town: Lanesboro, Minnesota.
We stepped into the field to pick a couple dozen fresh ears of sweet corn. Just then, an ordinary adventure became extraordinary. It was a sweltering hot summer day with no cooling breeze to ruffle the stalks. Ideal conditions for corn to mature at this time of the season. Long, hot summer days, with no wind, no rain.
As we stepped into the field, I could tell that Austen was alert to something. He can hear everything and smell everything. Then I heard it too. Definitely an unexpected, unfamiliar yet strangely familiar sound: corn growing! Yes, I heard corn growing! Yes, I did!
On a sweltering hot summer day with no wind, with no sound of passing cars, or the sound of farm machinery, you can actually hear corn growing. It’s like the sound that silk makes as your mother shucks corn before the big roast. It’s the unmistakable sound of silk rubbing on silk.
As I said, maybe you need to be a Midwesterner to believe this story and for sure you need to be a Midwesterner to actually hear this silky sound.
Copyright © 2025 by Richard Wolfgramm
This brought back such vivid memories! Having grown up on a farm I wandered fields and tracked through many a corn field in August! I can just hear that sound! A magical mystical mystery of days long gone! Thank you!!
Hi Debi: My memories are more recent, but yours are just as vivid. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Richard: Your piece inspires me to drive out into corn country later this summer, perhaps a day after a substantial rain event, and actually listen to the corn. I’m not sure what sounds I expect to hear but it will be a new adventure for me.
Also, your comment, “Each word has to enhance the storyline,” is excellent advice for any written piece. When I return to something I’ve written and remove as many words (sentences) as I can, the result is always an improvement over my initial attempt. Thanks for that reminder!
Hi Carol: Visiting corn country later this summer would be the best time. But be sure to walk into the field far enough to drown out other sounds. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for a wonderful summertime in the Midwest story. I have heard the expression about hearing the corn grow, but this really captures that experience. Thanks for opening my ears to the wonder of nature.
Mom would go out and pick the sweetcorn but us kids had the job of husking it so I didn’t hear the corn talking. I do remember husking it out and trying to get all those little silky strings off the cob so Mom could have it ready for us to eat within the half hour. Delicious!
Thanks for sharing your MiniMemory Richard.
Hi Monica: Check out the Bio that I wrote for Jane. I submitted a selfie (with Austen on my lap) to go along with the Bio.
This made me ponder!! I hadn’t thought of “hearing corn grow.” When I was about 14, my summer “job” was to work for Agsco Co. and detassel corn. With all the cackling of the teenage crew, we couldn’t have heard anything grow. 🤩 Thanks for the thoughts!!!
Hi Pat: That sounds like a ‘mini-memory’ to me.
Hi Richard! I had to look up Havanese – what lovely dogs! I bet they do smell and hear everything. I totally believe you when you write so convincingly about hearing corn growing. And love the phrase “silky sound.” Keep these stories coming!
Hi Ann: There is so much to experience when moving to a small town in the country.
Next time I pass a mature cornfield I will certainly be listening for the “silky sounds.” I enjoyed reading everything here from your opening question to your closing sentence.
Hi Margo: I enjoy the challenge of writing short stories; sometimes 250 words or less. Each word has to enhance the storyline.