Hello

[Arlsworth333]

I’ve been using this sight as a reference for four years , finally registered. Lol. Wondering what others near me(Kalamazoo) are thinking about doing with this weather.

[maple flats]

Tell us a little about yourself. How many taps, do you boil on an evaporator, do you have kids to teach?

[Woody77]

Im north of you about an hour and a half in Elsie. I like to be that one odd ball that tapps now but remember if you're on open spiles (not on a pipeline) the holes will most likely start to heal before the normal season. If you have extra trees go for it. when i do i plug the drop tube when it freezes up and hope for a good second run. I do know a fella that runs 5/16 spiles and redrills the tree when he notices a slow down and puts in his old 7/16 spiles . He dips his drill in bleach water before every hole to protect against disease spread. He makes a lot more syrup than i do with the extra week of run going in the head tank. I borrow trees so i don't get that silly.

[sebastian]

I am in Leonard Michigan and call I tap about 650 taps. This year I added a lunch box vacuum pump to my operation
I hope to save some time picking up sap in one of my sugar bushes by Eliminating 90 bags and replacing it with the vacuum lines. I know I will have about 550 tabs on my vacuum systems and 200 tabs on bags and buckets
I also added a new are all to my operation The leader micro 2
17147

[Ccbrit]

I’ve been using this sight as a reference for four years , finally registered. Lol. Wondering what others near me(Kalamazoo) are thinking about doing with this weather.

I’m also in the Kalamazoo area and am debating do I tap now or not. Last year I tapped in January and things worked out pretty good for me, but last year turned out to be weird. I think I’m going to put out a few taps tomorrow just to test sugar content and how it’s running. Weather for the next week looks good except Wednesday. This is my 4th year(so I’m still learning)and will be putting around 200 taps In the Schoolcraft area.


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[Arlsworth333]

Hopefully I don’t regret it but I think I’m going to wait. Last year I tapped February 17 which seemed early and I think some of them dried up before the actual end of season. This is my 5th year so I’m still learning as well. Going to try to get 200 taps out this year. I too borrow trees so I don’t want to try anything that could damage them.

[Arlsworth333]

Tell us a little about yourself. How many taps, do you boil on an evaporator, do you have kids to teach? I started five years ago with a couple of buddies cooking over a cinderblock arch and buffet pans. Every year we have gotten bigger now cooking on a homemade 3x5. Using tubing and buckets. Would like to run lines next year also will be investing in an ro system next year. Luckily I have a understanding wife that love maple syrup and two kids that do too. This is not a cheap hobby. Lol.

[HannahL]

I started five years ago with a couple of buddies cooking over a cinderblock arch and buffet pans. Every year we have gotten bigger now cooking on a homemade 3x5. Using tubing and buckets. Would like to run lines next year also will be investing in an ro system next year. Luckily I have a understanding wife that love maple syrup and two kids that do too. This is not a cheap hobby. Lol.

Arlsworth, I agree it is not a cheap hobby but comparing Mapling to fishing and buying a boat or camping and purchasing a 5th Wheel or leasing property to hunt on along with tags and fuel etc. this hobby seems to fair well. I just wish the season lasted longer. I am investing into a small RO system this year and next year will be looking to purchase a nice 2x6 evaporator. My dilemma is what to do with the syrup, typically I give most of it away. If I could find someone to buy it I would invest more and produce more.

[woodey24]

We started 2 years ago with a homemade barrel arch and a 2x3 pan with an 18in sq warming pan and have gotten bigger the same. Last year we ran lines and this year my partner has invested in small vacuum system. If you go tubing, I heavily recommend getting a tubing tool and neighbor just bought one from Big Toms in Lake Odessa that looks to be badd ***. Will do both size tube and is very well built for around 250, but will save you time.
As far as what to do with the syrup, Id recommend trying to make the sugared nuts or finding someone that sells candles or produce at a farmers market, buying the stickers and putting them on the bottle and selling it.
Glad to hear others have the bug too.

[maple flats]

In 2003, my first year producing more than just for my family, I only made 10.5 gal. and I sold all but 2 gal. I was lucky at the time because in my retirement I was driving school bus, that year and for the next 3 years my sales were all to fellow bus drivers. I now sell all I can produce and this year will have up to 850 taps, all on vacuum if all goes well. In the last 4 years I've sold most thru my website and ship it all across the country. At this point I do not ship out of the U.S., but I have shipped to both Alaska and Hawaii. The sales potential is there, but it takes time (and a good website). Early on after the forth year I did a farmer's market and sold wholesale to another guy who did 3 farmer's markets every week. He has since retired and since my website gives me enough business to sell all I make, I'll not be doing more farmer's markets. I also have good sales from my home.
I guess, basically, what I'm saying is that retail sales will come, just put the word out, hang a sign at your home and keep some stock there all of the time . Then as you start to make enough to sell on the internet, set up a website, or you could just list some on Ebay.

[Arlsworth333]

[QUOTE=Ccbrit;340086]I’m also in the Kalamazoo area and am debating do I tap now or not. Last year I tapped in January and things worked out pretty good for me, but last year turned out to be weird. I think I’m going to put out a few taps tomorrow just to test sugar content and how it’s running. Weather for the next week looks good except Wednesday. This is my 4th year(so I’m still learning)and will be putting around 200 taps In the Schoolcraft area.


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Did you end up tapping?

[Jewdave]

I was debating too in Farmington and I’m holding as it looks to drop way down again by next Friday for several days if not a couple weeks...

[astaeven]

I am in Newaygo, but new to Michigan and have started reading this blog for information regarding local sapping. Have next 2 weeks off but also have March 19 week off trying to time the flow. I think I am going to wait and hope for colder temps the next month. Just seems too early for my senses. I have brother-in-law that has already tapped some and is getting sap but I am guessing light in sugar content17275. In NW Wisconsin we could almost always plan around the first week or so in April.

2018 1st year sugaring in MI.
2x4 evap with blower and preheater 1st year using
100+ taps?
CFMOTO Uforce800 UTV sap hauler
previous 3 years tapped in WI with friends avg 3-4 gallons syrup per person.
Location:
Newaygo, MI.