Drop Lines to Buckets
What's the trick to running drop lines to buckets on the ground? We experimented with 5 closed-lid 5 gallon buckets last year and barely got any sap. Our metal spile hanging buckets did much better.
I realize now we didn't add an air hole to the bucket. Any other advice? Is there a preferred tube size?
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
2025 - 40 taps; Added 3/16 mainline line; Natural Vacuum; 6.5 gallons of syrup.