Backyard Syrup Enthusiasts 2023

[Mvhomesteader]

Boil #9 went off without a hitch netting a few cups more than 1.5 gallons from 77 gallons of sap for a ssc of 2.15%, dropping slightly from #8. I can see the downward trend as the sap is getting less clear. I swear I can catch an occassional scent of buddiness while boiling, though in the end the flavor is good. The syrup is getting darker as well.

The next couple of days look poor for sap runs, but Monday and Tuesday look good. As it stands I have one more boil ready for the first of the week, but nothing beyond that. I'll see how things go in the early week to decide if the odds of collecting for #11 look favorable. While boiling today I washed 30 buckets that I won't need anymore this season , so the pick-up has begun.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Collected another 265 gallons. Will make for a good boil tomorrow for our visitors. Changed to Maine Maple Saturday for us due to the weather. Mostly just friends and family anyway but should be a few others stopping by. Still looks like syrup season for another week or better. Filled the oil tank today. Happy boiling!

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Busy day at the shack. Boiled sap, bottled syrup and entertained a few people throughout the day. Bottled our 3rd batch of Amber at LT 57 on the Hanna Meter. 37 gallons of syrup and all Amber so far. We need to make some dark soon or we’ll be out! Sugar went up slightly but still a little lower than average for us. 1.8% today.

[maineboiler]

Had friends and family over for our Maine Maple Sunday, nice weather around noon and then a little chilly. Surprisingly slow run of sap yesterday and so far today. Should pick up later this week?

[maineboiler]

Had friends and family over for our Maine Maple Sunday, nice weather around noon and then a little chilly. Surprisingly slow run of sap yesterday and so far today. Should pick up later this week?

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Ran pretty hard for us yesterday and last night on vacuum lines. My buddy was getting out of work early today to try and start catching up. Probably will be boiling today and tomorrow. Looks like some more freezes thru this week. Next week is traditionally the end for us but it has been a cooler year so far. The rain this coming weekend should keep the woods floor saturated. If we keep getting freezes, the sap will keep running. Looks more like mid-season in the woods right now than it does the end. But, not much frost this year and already out on most of the gravel roads.

[Mvhomesteader]

Had friends and family over for our Maine Maple Sunday, nice weather around noon and then a little chilly. Surprisingly slow run of sap yesterday and so far today. Should pick up later this week?

Working on the 10th boil right now. I've been taking some taps down this afternoon as they haven't shown any activity for several days while some others have been decent. I'm trying to get at least 50 gallons for one last boil on Sunday--40 so far. With probably 25 taps left I should be able to do that and better. I can see the season naturally shutting down here gradually. Either way this weekend will be time to wrap up. Glad to see everyone having a successful season.

[Mvhomesteader]

Tenth boil ended up with a pint more than 1.5 gallons for a sugar of 2.14%. My running syrup total is slightly more than 16.5 gallons. I got a bunch of buckets washed for storage so I don't have to do it all at the end. Looking forward to the grand finale on Sunday! Hopefully I can pull together another 35 gallons of sap which should give me an even 18 gallons of syrup for the season.