These crazy cold days are killing me! Next week is looking good:
3/8: 39/22
3/9: 39/24
3/10: 44/37
3/11: 48/28
3/12: 39/22
3/13: 43/27
These crazy cold days are killing me! Next week is looking good:
3/8: 39/22
3/9: 39/24
3/10: 44/37
3/11: 48/28
3/12: 39/22
3/13: 43/27
.. in the morning, then going to New Orleans until Thursday night. Will need sap sak sitter to make the rounds if forecast holds - looks like 4 days out of the next 7, then serious warm-up: the end?
I hope not! Would love to see solid two or three weeks instead of this on again off again stuff. It was 5 degrees yesterday when I took the dogs out.... that’s February weather, not March weather!
This pic was yesterday. It was 8 when I woke up this morning. About an hour ago, I went and peeked at the nearest tap, same as this pic, and was still frozen. Hoping it warms up soon and starts dripping and that the season isn't just one run.
20190307_142444.jpg
~Janet
2019 - 6th year sugarin'. 2nd year using propane. 13 taps. Just over 3/4 gal syrup. Light in color and flavor.
Intent to build a new barrel evaporator with my son this summer. Still don't weld. We'll see how it goes.
After an AMAZING week things have really slowed down this a.m. with the warm night. Fingers crossed another good week coming!
My first boil a week ago was 17 gal, after getting rid of some ice and saving the large 1/2 buckets ice cubes, and came away with 5 - 8oz bottles. Testing sap after the ice removal, I ranged from 1.5 to 3.4%.
Today, finishing boiling 17.5 gals, very little ice, and may sap ranged from 1.4% - 2.3%. We'll see what I end up with.
Almost no flow with yesterday's warm temps. Buckets have sap today, from a distance, it doesn't appear to be gushing. Hoping these next 4 days give up more gold.
~Janet
2019 - 6th year sugarin'. 2nd year using propane. 13 taps. Just over 3/4 gal syrup. Light in color and flavor.
Intent to build a new barrel evaporator with my son this summer. Still don't weld. We'll see how it goes.
I tapped 2/3-2/10 collected 300 gallons of sap boiled down to 5.5 gallons syrup on 23 taps. Pulled everything Saturday. I am in buzzards bay.
Made my first syrup of the season last night, after a few mistakes the last two weeks cost me at least 6 gallons of production. Sap is finally starting to flow strongly. But maybe only for another week. We will see.
2022 is season 7
2016: 20 taps on buckets, 4 gallons on a borrowed 2x3.
2017: 32 taps on buckets, 8 gallons of syrup, on a "loaner" Lapierre 19x48.
2018: 80 taps. First time tubing. New 10x12 sugar shack, Lapierre 2x5. Made 17 gallons
2019: 100 taps. 22 gallons. Added a small RO 50 gph.
2020: 145 taps, 30 gallons, sold half. Murphy cup is a great addition.
2021: tapped Feb 23, 150 taps, 35 gallons.
2022: 200 taps. I lost 50, added 100. Having fun but short season?
Thinking about pulling taps this weekend - ran out of wood and had to make some late night runs to gather up more pallets. These last three weeks have been perfect!!
While I'm not using my barrel this year, I'm fortunate that my local Ace, just up the way from me, lets me take as many pallets as I'd like. Just finished my 3rd boil and bottle and made another 28 oz. I'm hoping for one more week.
How'd you like your new rig? You've noted you've had a great few weeks. How much did you get?
~Janet
2019 - 6th year sugarin'. 2nd year using propane. 13 taps. Just over 3/4 gal syrup. Light in color and flavor.
Intent to build a new barrel evaporator with my son this summer. Still don't weld. We'll see how it goes.