The Official 2010 Maple Syrup Thread.

lonelyfarmgirl · #**161** 03/16/10, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnorthlady

Last year we tapped 97 trees and got almost 11 gallons of finished syrup.

I dont understand this. Last year we tapped 12 trees and ended up with 7.5 gallons of finished syrup. Were we especially lucky, or is everyone else doing something wrong? How can someone tap 97 trees and only finish with 11 gallons?

Our season as well seems to be doing really sucky. we have been tapped for a week or 10 days, but the sap has only been running good for a few days. I am afraid that if the temp doesnt drop in the next day or so we are done. That makes me so mad. I am going to hate to turn people away that are on the waiting list. Hopefully the weather will give us a break and cool back down for a bit.

upnorthlady · #**162** 03/16/10, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelyfarmgirl

I dont understand this. Last year we tapped 12 trees and ended up with 7.5 gallons of finished syrup. Were we especially lucky, or is everyone else doing something wrong? How can someone tap 97 trees and only finish with 11 gallons?

Our season as well seems to be doing really sucky. we have been tapped for a week or 10 days, but the sap has only been running good for a few days. I am afraid that if the temp doesnt drop in the next day or so we are done. That makes me so mad. I am going to hate to turn people away that are on the waiting list. Hopefully the weather will give us a break and cool back down for a bit.

You were just lucky and must have had a good season. We had a short, not so good season last year. We also got a late start, tapping somewhere around mid season. We would have gotten more if we had started off right away. Hopefully this year we are getting to the tapping in time.

seedspreader · #**163** 03/16/10, 11:00 PM

55 plus all this week... I wouldn't have believed it two weeks ago. We went from hard winter to late spring.

I got nothing.

seedspreader · #**164** 03/16/10, 11:01 PM

It's midnight and 45°F

michiganfarmer · #**165** 03/17/10, 10:00 AM

It froze the last two nights. The sap is running good, but Im afraid the trees are going to bud soon. I should have about 800 galons of sap by tonight. Hopefully some people will bring me more sap tonight

lonelyfarmgirl · #**166** 03/19/10, 09:47 AM

I figured we got lucky. this years run sucks compared to last year. We really need some cold weather, or we are going to be done in a couple more days. the lilac buds are starting to swell.

Happy7Farm · #**167** 03/19/10, 07:41 PM

Its spring here in Kentuck! Highs in the mid-60s and sunny! The Red Maples are leafing out and the grass is starting to grow!

IndianaWoodsman · #**168** 03/20/10, 09:14 AM

We pulled everything yesterday. Sap was mostly cloudy/yellow on the last run but we kept it because we get a few people every year that will only take dark, strong syrup. It's not great on ice cream or pancakes but it is really good for baking.

luv2farm · #**169** 03/20/10, 06:33 PM

Just want to give a plug to a Homesteading neighbor.......We got a qt of syrup from Happy7 this year and we are thrilled with it!! Packaged well and shipped quickly. Oh yeah....taste great, too!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy7Farm

We made enough syrup to sell some if anyone is interested. We are selling it for $10 a pint and $18 a quart plus shipping. The syrup is a medium amber I'd say, but not dark.
We have 13 quarts available.

lonelyfarmgirl · #**170** 03/20/10, 07:57 PM

WooHoo!, 27 degrees and snow last night, cloudy and 45 today. and its supposed to be like this for the next 6 days at least. PERFECT sap running weather.

michiganfarmer · #**171** 03/22/10, 08:35 AM

the sap is running like crazy now. Weve made 60 gallons. prolly will make another 20 or 30 today.

MN Gardener · #**172** 03/22/10, 08:37 AM

Our sap just started running and we will be boiling down the first of our syrup tonight! I do have some questions for everyone though -
1. What is the gritty sandy stuff at the bottom, we have been told that because of extremely sandy soil the trees pull the sand into the sap and it is probably sand - does that sound right? (we do strain it 2 - 3 time AND let it set for awhile and poor off the good stuff)
2. What do you package your syrup in? This is only our 2nd year doing this and last year we just used canning jars, is it worth the extra expense to get the "cute" jars, and if so, where is the best place to get them?

3. Any good advice for newbees? How about a good book suggestion for DH's birthday?

Thanks everyone. We have about 50 taps out and will hopefully be getting 100 more taps in the mail tomorrow.

michiganfarmer · #**173** 03/22/10, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN Gardener

1. What is the gritty sandy stuff at the bottom, we have been told that because of extremely sandy soil the trees pull the sand into the sap and it is probably sand - does that sound right? (we do strain it 2 - 3 time AND let it set for awhile and poor off the good stuff)
2. What do you package your syrup in? This is only our 2nd year doing this and last year we just used canning jars, is it worth the extra expense to get the "cute" jars, and if so, where is the best place to get them?

3. Any good advice for newbees? How about a good book suggestion for DH's birthday?

Thanks everyone. We have about 50 taps out and will hopefully be getting 100 more taps in the mail tomorrow.

the gritty stuff is sugar sand. some call it niter. Its minerals in the sap that condence out when the sap gets close to syrup.

Many people just use caning jars. Some people buy the syrup jugs. If you are going to use it for yourself, I think it would be less expensive just o use your own canning jars.
Here are a few places that sell jugs, and all kinds of sypplies. http://www.sugarbushsupplies.com/
http://www.bascommaple.com/store/used.php?cat=44
http://www.rmgmaple.com/

I have no idea about what book to offer as a gift

MN Gardener · #**174** 03/22/10, 09:51 AM

Thanks for the info Max, I am assuming that the sugar sand is normal and is in most people's syrup?
I am an extreme newbee.....I never had tasted real maple syrup until we made it last year!

michiganfarmer · #**175** 03/22/10, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN Gardener

Thanks for the info Max, I am assuming that the sugar sand is normal and is in most people's syrup?
I am an extreme newbee.....I never had tasted real maple syrup until we made it last year!

yes. sugar sand is just part of making syrup.

I hope you get the addiction. March is a fine month to be working outside

MN Gardener · #**176** 03/23/10, 07:43 AM

I think we are definately getting the addiction. The weather has been great, which is good because we haven't constructed the roof over the fireplace set up yet.

dixienc · #**177** 03/23/10, 09:02 AM

I need another gallon of maple syrup like I purchased last year. It was so delicious, the kids used it on everything I think. I think I bought it from MichiganFarmer, want to know if you are selling this year and what the prices are?

MN Gardener · #**178** 03/23/10, 11:00 PM

I am so excited we found a neighbor who make syrup too! They are so nice.

michiganfarmer · #**179** 03/24/10, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixienc

I need another gallon of maple syrup like I purchased last year. It was so delicious, the kids used it on everything I think. I think I bought it from MichiganFarmer, want to know if you are selling this year and what the prices are?

Yes maam. Its $45 this year plus shipping. Im gonna try to can this weekend.

I havent caned any yet. Its all I can do to keep up with the sap comming in. The end of the season is being very good to me. I made 150 gallons last year, and I just might make it to 140 this year. We have 115 right now

gilberte · #**180** 03/25/10, 05:21 AM

What method do you use to filter your syrup? I've tried everything from coffee filters to old t-shirts but they all quickly clod with niter and become useless. My best method now is to let it sit until most of the sugar sand settles to the bottom and then pour off into another jug. Curious to know what others do?