Tapping in Ontario

[Maple Restoration]

Well time to get off my back end here and kick off the start of a new season in 2009.

Heading off to officially open the road the sugar shack after work, just hope the old Case Dozer will start when I get their.lol Were sitting with 4’ of snow in the fields the good news is the temps will be in the mid 20’s to 30’s just right for getting work done and install the 2 new 1000L holding tanks for the evaporator.

We just want to wish everyone a great 2009 season wishing big SAP for all, from the little Shack way up in Northern Ontario Canada.

[Jerome]

Trying to get up and running with a new to me evaporator I wanted to go with a stainless stack but it would be more than the evaporator. +9 today but late in the week is to get cold again.

[Maple Restoration]

Hi Jerome glad to see I’m not the only getting a head start I hope you enjoy the new rig, I finally got the road open to the shack on Saturday and we just installed 2 new 1000L holding tanks to feed our 2 by 6, I just hope this rain this week will help knock down the snow, all our lines are just barely above the snow. All the best for you this season. Here is just a few pick’s from this weekend.

[alwaysadntaps]

Cold weather is coming back by the end of the week. If you tap now your holes may begin to heal over when the big runs come.

[Jerome]

got the front of the evaporator bricked and cemented. I was going to use blanket on the back shelf but I think it will bw bricked also. I was given som SS insulated stack so that is up. I started my pre heater that should be done today. working on some ideas for a new hood, at least it is keeping me out of trouble.

[cheesegenie]

Sounds like you will be ready for the run, I think you are a little earlier season
than this part of the province (eastern). We got a good day yesterday and
finished up the welding, was cold but not too bad. My son came over in the afternoon, and welded everything that I had ready. Now will move it into
the shed, put in position, and brick. I wonder if I can put ceramic cloth
on the "up ramp" and lay the brick right on it? Any ideas on that. Korey
(son) also made the smoke ring and stack cover. Handy kid!

[alwaysadntaps]

Looks like maybe the fist week of Mar ( eyes are on weather forcast) We do have hardly any snow ,but the water table is back . Last time we had this much water in the ground , you could shut off the vacum pump and the sap was still flowing into the tank like a garden hose!

[KenWP]

I have a high water table also. Like 3 inches under the ground. Will that actually help.

[Northern Maple]

Does anyone else in Northern Ontario have their taps in yet?
I'm keeping my eye on the weather and thinking about tapping next weekend.
First generation, second season, and can't wait for the weather to break!

[Brent]

Next weekend would put you 2 -3 weeks ahead of normal time for your area.

Remember most holes "dry up" in 4 to 5 weeks so you'd be out of luck before the end of March ..." normally" that is.

I would think the Muskoka run should go into the middle of April. Maybe someone local to you will comment.