Greyfox Farm 2014 season

[Greyfox]

With a CHANCE of a run today through Tuesday I tapped in 15 to see what we can get. I did a couple of test taps a week ago and so far just an occasional trickle. It looks like we might be getting more snow next week so I figured slogging through 30" of snow this week was better than slogging through 42" of snow next week, and I'm using all clear seasonal CV's now so I don't think there's a downside. I was half and half CV's and regular taps last season, and I'm happy with the seasonals. They fit easily into the 5/16" and seem to snug up tight into the hole. With a bit of luck I hope to have our first boil on Monday. Best wishes to everyone for a great season.

Doc.

[Greyfox]

I netted a couple of gallons from 10 taps on Saturday, but today, FINALLY, I got somewhat of a run. I have 18 taps currently in and pulled 5 gallons by 6:00 today. With a low last night of 25 and a high today of 49 I expected a better run, but nature gives what she gives. My North facing woods of mostly reds tends to be a better late season bush, but at least my season is off to somewhat of a start. Anyone looked at the weather lately? It looks like we might be in for another foot-plus of snow here in the Lakes Region. Keep the snowshoes by the door.

Doc

[Greyfox]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else here in central NH; too cold for any consistent runs. It looks like the next few day we drop back into the freezer with HOPEFULLY a couple of days run at the end off the week. My fear is that we'll get a week or so into April and we'll loose the hard-freeze nights. It might be 2012 all over again. With nothing to boil today I'm going to make the rounds and visit some friends 'round the way. Maybe I'll see you this afternoon. Good luck all.

Doc

[Greyfox]

It's been a pretty low-productivity season, and I think this will be the last hurrah. The sap ran well today after last nights 27 degree freeze, but from here on I have no confidence that we'll see another hard freeze at night. With todays run I surpassed the dreadful 2012 season sap count, so this season goes in the books as a successful, if light, year. For a purely hobby producer like me it's not about how much I produce, it's the fun of being in the woods and doing it. By that standard, it's been a great year.

"Turn out the lights, the party's over, and next season starts the same old thing again."

Doc

[Greyfox]

I guess I spoke too soon. My cold North facing woods, at higher elevation, hasn't thrown in the towel yet. I boiled Friday night after work, and I'll be going at it again today. Despite the peepers being in full song, the sap is coming in clear and not buddy. One section that's predominantly sugars was the top performing section early in the season, but now it's my main line with almost exclusively reds that is running strong. Sugar content is low, and the syrup is dark, but hey, I'm still up and running! I'm absolutely sold on the clear seasonal CV taps. The holes are 6-1/2 weeks old now and still running strong. With a chance of lows in the 20's again tonight, I might still be getting some good sap tomorrow. What a crazy year....