CT 2018 Maple Season Discussion

[BSD]

How are you looking for the 2018 season?

I told myself all summer i would build myself a sugar shack... and here we are on the last day of 2017 and i'm wondering if it's a feat i can pull off before our season begins. I really don't want to boil outdoors any more and i need a place to finish product other than my kitchen or my wife might kill me this year.

I'm all set to put out a mile of 3/16 tubing again this year on my borrowed trees on my customers properties. just need to get a few hands together to make it a little more manageable. I'm talking with another client about putting another line together on her and her neighbors property, maybe bring my tap count from 122 to 160-175.

[Stiets]

How are you looking for the 2018 season?

As of right now not to good. Still have to finish up the new oil tank evaporator, order bottles, labels, and a new pump. After not getting the boils rates I should be getting decided to make a new one. Bigger firebox and larger smoke stack with better airflow should help. Don't worry I also said that I will have it made before Thanksgiving, here we are now and not finished. Nothing like a time crunch for motivation.

Going into this season with the mindset of having fun with friends and family while making syrup on the old family farm. Last year had a great start but had a major setback after the second good boil. Had to dump my sweet pan and start again. After that it felt like the season was playing catch up and got burnt out trying to make as much syrup as possible. Going to see what this season brings and have fun doing what only a few lucky people get to this time of year....boil sap!!!

[markgm]

While we have near record cold in the forecast for this weekend, I see the 40s in the forecast for next week. I'm sure things will change by then, but the forecast in Plymouth for the 13th has a high of 43 and a low of -6! Last year I tapped on the 16th, so I'll be watching the weather.

[BSD]

i'm secretly hoping the tree's stay frozen for another 3 weeks. it will take some time for them with the temps we've had as well as the snow cover locking in the frost on the roots. i am no where near ready to go and hate to miss the beginning of the season like i did last year.

[Stiets]

i'm secretly hoping the tree's stay frozen for another 3 weeks..... i am no where near ready to go.

Feeling the same way.

[BSD]

I must admit I'm tempted to put some tubing up and run some lines with the forecast, the problem is i'm no where near ready to process. The good news is my sugar shack is supposed to be ready by 2/1. It's going to be a painstaking wait. I'll have to get as much prep work done as possible so i can hit the ground running once i have a roof over my head.

[PJTracy]

Second year into this. Put in 30 taps (check valves) on two 5/16" gravity mainlines yesterday anticipating a decent flow this weekend. Not sure if I'm too early, but it's worth a shot. Still plenty more to put in.

[Cjadamec]

Checked this afternoon here on the coast we've been in the upper 30s all day both of my tubing runs had sap in the collection barrles. That's some strong motivation to get the finishing touches done to the evaporator. Nothing like burning the bridges to motivate the troops.

[Cjadamec]

Just finished setting 51 taps today. I ran two runs, 1000' each, 3/16th tubing with 25 and 26 taps per line. My evaporator is almost done and I'm hoping I have it finished before my storage barrles overflow. This weekend looks like a good run and going forward the long-term forcast is hedging to a warmer than normal February.

[valleyman]

Lookin' good. Best of luck this season!