knee-high by the Fourth of July

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

If a corn (maize) crop planted in spring has grown knee-high by the Fourth of July (Independence Day of the United States), a bountiful harvest is expected.

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “knee-high by the Fourth of July” mean?

If a corn (maize) crop planted in spring has grown knee-high by the Fourth of July (Independence Day of the United States), a bountiful harvest is expected.

Is “knee-high by the Fourth of July” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.