The Official 2010 Maple Syrup Thread.

**Kris in MI** · #81 03/01/10, 02:01 PM

Tapped two trees yesterday afternoon, have 6 taps total (4 on a huge old tree, 2 on the next biggest). That will probably be all we get, as most of the maples we have here are still small. If only I could tap oaks and beech, I'd have dozens and dozens of taps going! Of course now that I've got taps going, they've changed the forecast from highs of 38-42 all week to high of 36 today, 34 tomorrow, chance of snow. . . I want the old forecast back: a whole week of sunshine and 40 degree days followed by nights in the 20's!

lonelyfarmgirl · #82 03/01/10, 05:56 PM

we, or should I say, DH...is putting in taps now. we are supposed to have 35 and sunny for the next several days.

Happy7Farm · #83 03/01/10, 06:13 PM

Made another 1 gallon and 1/2 pint of syrup today. Had to gather our 50 buckets by hand today because our neighbor with the horses and wagon was not available that helps us gather our sap.

misplaced · #84 03/02/10, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2farm

Do any of you sell your syrup? I'd sure be interested!!

We are thinking about selling some this year.
I am having a maple syrup giveaway on my blog just as soon as we start canning it.

misplaced · #85 03/02/10, 11:53 AM

Thanks Rose. The key to taking good pictures is to take tons of them... a few are bound to turn out pretty good

Mistyf · #86 03/02/10, 12:14 PM

Well, I've had my taps in for a little over a week and the weather has decided to jump all over the place. We were supposed to have highs in the 40's, and lows in the 20's all week, but now that has changed, and we are looking at highs in the 50's by the weekend. Not looking good.

stirfamily · #87 03/02/10, 12:33 PM

Things ran great yesterday and now today everything is still frozen. Weather guy keeps promising warmer weather. I'm afraid once it does warm up my silver maples that I have tapped will go into bloom and that will my syrup making for this year. As of now, 1 pint made with 5 gallons boiling down today.
karen in NE Indiana

Happy7Farm · #88 03/02/10, 07:50 PM

Made a 1/2 gallon today, but the weather does not look good! Saturday might be our last day as after that the whole next week is highs in the the mid to upper 50s and lows in the high 30s. Well we will just have to make the most of the next couple days. Have made a little over 7 gallons and 1 quart this year so far.

sugarspinner · #89 03/02/10, 09:11 PM

Karen (Stirfamily) We're south of you, near Muncie. We're tapping this weekend, as are a couple of other producers in our area. The snow is still deep but melting a bit every day and if we don't do it soon, the buds will swell and we'll be done practically before we get started. We're expecting a short season, reminiscent of last year

stanb999 · #90 03/03/10, 05:14 AM

It's time to ready for tapping. I'll be getting the stuff out today. Getting paths to the trees. Maybe even drilling the holes. Finally the weather looks to be warm enough.

Ohio dreamer · #91 03/03/10, 02:02 PM

Anyone know of a good way to find a local producer? My internet search has flopped. Those of you that sell, where do you advertise? I know may of you will sell and ship, but I'd like to keep the shipping cost in my pocket if at all possible....or buy more by buying locally. I know someone near me must make and sell it, but every search online has me driving over an hour away! I can get it from the farm stores and bulk food stores, but I'd like to cut out the middle man.

IndianaWoodsman · #92 03/03/10, 02:25 PM

Search online for Ohio Maple Syrup Association. That will take you to a site with a link to a list of Ohio producers. We have a similar site for Indiana and I suspect nearly any Maple-producing state does. Hope this helps

lonelyfarmgirl · #93 03/03/10, 05:47 PM

we put in our taps some each of the last 3 days, and will finish up tomorrow. It is just starting to run. the snow in our woods in 2 feet deep everywhere, and I think DH found a bird of prey nest in one of the tree tops. it is small. maybe the red screech owl we saw last summer?

Happy7Farm · #94 03/03/10, 06:17 PM

Made just under a gallon today. Hoping to make the 10 gallon mark by saturday, which we are preparing to be our last day because of the weather, but if we get another run or two we will take it!

StephanieH · #95 03/03/10, 07:19 PM

We wanted to tap our trees last year but couldn't get taps in time. This year we were ready! Tonight we tapped our trees, and being that this was our first time we are so excited! I used gallon bags that I reinforced with package tape...I hope it holds up!
The Official 2010 Maple Syrup Thread. - Homesteading Questions

The Official 2010 Maple Syrup Thread. - Homesteading Questions

seedspreader · #96 03/03/10, 08:31 PM

I am going to try to raise the plow all the way up on the 4 wheeler and peel back the first foot or snow and beat a path to my trees...

Ohio dreamer · #97 03/03/10, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaWoodsman

Search online for Ohio Maple Syrup Association. That will take you to a site with a link to a list of Ohio producers. We have a similar site for Indiana and I suspect nearly any Maple-producing state does. Hope this helps

Thanks IW, I did find that list. But none of them are near me....I can't imagine that no one within 2-3 counties of me is making syrup......this is not an urban area. I guess we could just make a road trip/field trip day of it and travel the hour or so to "East Jababa". I should get DH to call his father and ask, FIL lives down in "Amish Country" I wouldn't be surprised if he knew of someone down there.

misplaced · #98 03/04/10, 08:10 AM

We put in over a thousand taps yesterday, exhausting.
We already had over 40 gallons of sap last night.
On my way down there to empty buckets with the boys today.
fun fun

**Kris in MI** · #99 03/04/10, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seedspreader

I am going to try to raise the plow all the way up on the 4 wheeler and peel back the first foot or snow and beat a path to my trees...

We got alot of snow last Wednesday (almost a foot), then it blew around some on Friday. Forecast beginning Sunday: near 40 and sunny for at least a week.

So we took the snowmobile out and created a path, ran the snowmobile 2-3 times over the same spot. As the snow has melted, it has remained firm enough in the snowmobile track that I can walk on it even though it is 2' or more deep in some spots. We only have a few taps, though, so me carrying a 5 gallon bucket or two and staying on my 'path' has worked good so far.

SGFarm · #**100** 03/04/10, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio dreamer

Thanks IW, I did find that list. But none of them are near me....I can't imagine that no one within 2-3 counties of me is making syrup......this is not an urban area. I guess we could just make a road trip/field trip day of it and travel the hour or so to "East Jababa". I should get DH to call his father and ask, FIL lives down in "Amish Country" I wouldn't be surprised if he knew of someone down there.

Check out www.mapletraders.com and in there they have a section for Ohio producers where you can post your location and see who is local.

Mike