getting a little worried about this season!!!

[red maples]

Last was a strange year for me .... micro climate.... I made 40 gallons of syrup in the first 4 weeks of the season. then right after maple weekend the next 2 weeks I made 40 gallons. I wish I had that good sap weather for all 6 weeks of the season I would have had a banner of a season. but gotta take what you get in this biz and make the most of it!!!

[Marc Duclos]

When I got interested in make syrup I asked a lot of question. The one that seemed to mater the most was when to start. I was told the buckets were hung in NH March 10. Vacuum has change that. The hole world is stage and man wants to play god.

[Shawn]

Well if you look at the long range weather and if you can believe it starting a week from today it starts to get into high gear and again the long range shows right in the last part of April with warm temps in the day and freezing at night could be its going to run like a dickens

[mcgeec]

In a way I'm happy we have this bit of a lull...Im a small timer and I have about 25-30 gallons of frozen solid sap in buckets right now LOL So I have a bit of time before it even defrosts and I can get it out of the buckets. This weekend I'm picking up my evaporator and it will give me time to set it up, test boil some water and clean it all up and get ready to start my 1st real boil. I went out in my woods today and tapped some more trees and I am up to 80 taps now...last season I only had 35. So Im certainly stepping up my game and will need the time to get it all right.

I think that is my evaporator, right? Glad to know it is going to good hands.

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

Hahaha yes Chip, we still on for Saturday morning? Thanks again!

-Scott

[red maples]

yeah Shawn I hope so !!!!!

[mcgeec]

Yep. See you then

[maplwrks]

Hey Shawn--We all like to believe everything we read on the net, but most weather forecasts beyond 10 days are based on historical data. As I said above, I really don't think a real lot of syrup will be made before the 15th of March. This a more traditional type year for sugaring and most of you haven't been at it long enough to remember sugaring in the 70's and 80's when we didn't start before the middle of March. Sugaring season will still be 4 weeks long regardless---hang in there guys!!

[Russell Lampron]

Hey Shawn--We all like to believe everything we read on the net, but most weather forecasts beyond 10 days are based on historical data. As I said above, I really don't think a real lot of syrup will be made before the 15th of March. This a more traditional type year for sugaring and most of you haven't been at it long enough to remember sugaring in the 70's and 80's when we didn't start before the middle of March. Sugaring season will still be 4 weeks long regardless---hang in there guys!!

Hey Mike down here the season usually starts around the first of March. It is rare that the season doesn't last 4 weeks but there have been exceptions. Some seasons have been longer and some have been shorter. I have tapped as early as Feb 7th and boiled as late as April 21st. The late start here has got everybody scared and it may be justified. As long as I can make about 135 gallons I will be alright. A good 2 week period will produce that and the rest is gravy.

[maple flats]

Same here. While I've gotten syrup in Feb, last year was the only Feb. where I made much. For me March 7-10 seems to be my typical real start. Since 2003 I've only had 1 yr. earlier and 1 yr later than the Mar. 7-10 start. Then my best 10 days usually started between 3-15 and 3- 21. Looking at the long range it appears I should start about 3/7 or more likely 3/8 and then the pattern looks good thru the first week in April. If they are even remotely close it will be a great season. At this time they show (for CNY) an ideal pattern thru April 13. After that they just show historical averages. However, I realize they rarely get the weather right 24 hrs. out, so 6 weeks is impossible. I just hope the prediction is close enough to have that 5-6 week season. Then maybe I'll need more SS barrels.