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Thread: 2019 Tapping Season - Connecticut

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    27

    Default 2019 Tapping Season - Connecticut

    Happy New Year everyone!

    I recall last season, tapping started very early, second week of January I believe. Now that it’s New Year’s Day and it’s 52 degrees out and the forecast does not show for freezing temperatures anytime soon, I was wondering if sugaring season is projected to start early again. Should Intap my trees in two weeks or wait until February? I’m located in Southwestern CT.

    Anyone with insight would appreciated. Thank you!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ansonia, Connecticut
    Posts
    525

    Default

    Its good to be ready but I expect ol' man winter will set in before to long. If you tap in too early, the holes will prob dry up on you potentially in the prime part of the season. Last season, I tapped at the end of January and had a great season even though some dried up on me. I like to save some trees as backup for later run.
    Last edited by valleyman; 01-01-2019 at 12:10 PM.
    12 taps for 2009.
    30+ for 2010.
    30+ for 2011.
    2012- Still holding around 30+ with no help in sight.
    2013-Still a loner but what a Fantastic yielding year
    2014- Forever a loner
    2017-Still here, after trying to kick the habit.
    Down to 15-20 taps with the intent to save my marriage.

    Sap Haulers- Kids NADA, I tried but I'm on my own.
    Buckets and Sap Saks, 4 steam pans, Block Evaporator, and single burner propane for finishing.

    http://s778.photobucket.com/home/Valleyman_bucket

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Durham, CT
    Posts
    104

    Default

    Hope it's later. Scrambling to pull all my equipment together. Got out 3 years ago valleyman but this year I got sucked in again just because I had so many down trees on the farm. Got to do something with all that wood, right? I too am a one person show.
    Last edited by CTfarm; 01-01-2019 at 05:20 PM.
    2024 55 3/16 gravity, 19 5/16 gravity, 40 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator, Mason AUF arch.
    2023 35 3/16 gravity, 30 5/16 gravity 53 buckets and bags, RO Bucket rb15 kit, 5ft Phaneuf drop flue evaporator.
    Mason AUF arch
    2022 35 3/16 gravity, 28 5/16 gravity, 50 buckets and bags, New RO Bucket rb15 kit.
    2021 11 on 5/16 gravity, 30 on 3/16 gravity, 69 on buckets and bags. All sugar maples. Mostly large old trees.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ansonia, Connecticut
    Posts
    525

    Default

    Hey CT,
    Welcome back! Sounds like you're a busy solo show with a 2x5, nice ! Yea, funny how sugarin' is like being in the mob...once you're in there's no getting out. And Im just a small time hobbyist with maple fevor. Can only imagine being bigtime.
    Last edited by valleyman; 01-01-2019 at 06:39 PM.
    12 taps for 2009.
    30+ for 2010.
    30+ for 2011.
    2012- Still holding around 30+ with no help in sight.
    2013-Still a loner but what a Fantastic yielding year
    2014- Forever a loner
    2017-Still here, after trying to kick the habit.
    Down to 15-20 taps with the intent to save my marriage.

    Sap Haulers- Kids NADA, I tried but I'm on my own.
    Buckets and Sap Saks, 4 steam pans, Block Evaporator, and single burner propane for finishing.

    http://s778.photobucket.com/home/Valleyman_bucket

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Kent Ct. USA
    Posts
    369

    Default

    If you look at the 15 day [not that it's always right] for us, the sap is going to run most every day. I'd be really tempted but.............. I won't have an evaporator 'till the 20th or so. I'd need every pot & pan in Kent to keep up 'till it comes.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Plymouth, CT
    Posts
    46

    Default

    I tapped on January 15th last year, and every time I look at the forecast now I think to myself "why haven't you tapped already?" I used check valves in buckets (and bags) and had most everything dry up about 6 weeks later. I tapped different trees and the season went about another 4 weeks for me. I'll look at where the forecast is in 2 weeks. This year I'm going to experiment with a vacuum system, and I've digitized as much stuff as I can think to. I just finished assembling a stand for my RO, it should make working with the sap a little easier.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    27

    Default

    I’m ready to go. I have a fridge in my garage dedicated to storing sap since temps are questionable outside. I might drill a hole in one of my trees and see if there is flow. I don’t want to miss out on that early syrup.

    I have 18 trees I can tap. I’m just a small operation making syrup for home use and giving some away to friends and family.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Kent Ct. USA
    Posts
    369

    Default

    Just check this out https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USCT0102:1:US I'd wait, just my opinion

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    27

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Van View Post
    Just check this out https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USCT0102:1:US I'd wait, just my opinion
    Yeah, I saw that too. Cold temps are on the way. Looks like February it is.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Oxford, CT
    Posts
    157

    Default

    Mark, post some pix so these folks can see some of the amazing things you have created!

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