We have a lot of corn around here, and who knew it was so weirdly fascinating?

Midwest Sounds on Summer Nights

If you live in the Midwest, then there are probably a few sounds you associate with summertime.  Sit outside on any given summer evening, and you're likely to hear the sounds of crickets chirping, cicadas buzzing, frogs croaking, and probably some fireworks that your neighbor is still lighting off. But did you know that on a quiet summer night, you may also be able to hear the sound of corn growing?  I know, this sounds like a setup to the weirdest joke ever.

READ MORE: Corn Sweat is Partially Why the Tri-State is So Humid!

Does Corn Make Noise When it Grows?

The short answer is, yes!  Researchers from the University of Nebraska and New York University were actually able to capture this sound on video (you can see it below).  Lab Manager explains that the reason researchers believe corn makes this sound is due to  "material breakage" that happens as the corn grows.

The researchers told Lab Manager that material breakage is kind of like a microscopic earthquake, and the sudden release of stress will send sound waves.

They say it's a similar process to the way our bodies build muscle. In order to build muscle, we first have to break it down so it can repair itself.

What Does Corn Sound Like When It Grows?

While sitting next to a cornfield on a quiet summer day, you may hear a sound that is similar to corn breaking.  But what you may actually be hearing is the corn growing.

Recently, Meteorologist Matt Standridge from Indianapolis said the best time to hear corn growing is on a quiet night.

If you listen closely on a still summer night, you can sometimes hear the corn growing.

Corn grows best at night between 62° and 74°. During the day, 77° to 91° is optimal, with plenty of water.

I used to hear it crack at times while looking for lightning bugs at night.

In order for the corn plant to grow, the cell walls expand and rupture. The corn plant then rushes nutrients to repair the broken parts. These repairs help the corn plant grow taller.

Corn is truly fascinating and weird.