Tapping in Ontario 2010

[smitty76]

I'm with halladay, Have every thing ready to go except being tapped. When the weather changes, put the taps in and your off.

[longbeard]

Just checked my records and the average first boil for me in the past 17 years is March 16. Last year Mar. 6.

I am in Central Ont. - just north of Barrie.

How far ahead of the expected run date (guesstimate) do you guys drill the trees? It is nice to be ready, but too soon can be a problem too.

[KenWP]

That date makes sense as last year I tapped march 5 amd never got enough sap untill March 18. I will just follow the weather as see what happens. If it's to cold I am going to wait and the first warm day start drilling holes. has to come some day.

[ontario guy]

Well it hasn't happened in a while (tapping in February) but i may tap on Saturday, sunny and plus 4, as long as the forecast is warm for next week.


Today
Cloudy with sunny periods

* 1°C
*
*

Tue
A few rain showers or flurries

* 1°C
* -3°C
*

Wed
A few rain showers or flurries

* 3°C
* -2°C
*

Thu
Snow or rain

* 2°C
* -2°C
*

Fri
Rain or snow

* 3°C
* -2°C
*

Sat
Chance of flurries

* 4°C
* -4°C
* 40%

Sun
A mix of sun and cloud

* 5°C
* -6°C

[BryanEx]

I was thinking the same thing and I'm not that far from you ontario guy. I will be waiting to see what the forecast is for the week after before deciding. I'd rather miss the first week of light syrup and still be in good shape for the darker stuff in April because I simply can't sell it unless it "looks like maple syrup". I still have 2 gallons of light from last year I'll be mixing in with one of this year's darker batches just to use it up. I'm anxious to git goin' but in reality mid to late season is my best market.

[KenWP]

We have the same weather patterns coming here. I tapped one small tree today to see what happens. I am out of school next week so I will try and get tapped in around the house then. The woods trees take a while to thaw out.
Are you guys getting that big snow storm anywheres over there.

[BryanEx]

5 cm is the largest forecast I've seen with lots of wet snow or rain added in. I'd just love to get started but will continue to hold for another week or two. My best guess is that I'll tape March 12th and so far that seems on target.

[BryanEx]

14 days forecasts are based on averaging three different groundhogs plus adding in the Farmer's Almanac but for what it's worth...

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fou...qlink_st_14day

[KenWP]

Plus the arthritis for three people and the mal de tete of two woman.

[cheesegenie]

Tempting as it is, I will wait until mid March. Tapped early like this one year and too many problems (turned cold again). Just my thoughts.