sugaring season is in!

i had hoped to tap a few weeks ago but didn't get around to it. the weather is perfect though...days in the 40's, nights in the 20's.

today, i drilled two taps for a maple tree in our front yard on the west side of the house. it is a silver maple as all our maples are but it is a multi-branching tree which is supposed to produce higher amounts of sap than the straight trunked trees which is what i tapped last year.

i need to purchase more stiles. my friend was going to give me a few more but she is in texas for the month studying midwifery and she and her family won't be back until after the season is over.

it takes a minimum of 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. last year i think i ended up with a quart? i don't remember but it was delicious.

i'd love to put away at least a gallon but i don't think i'll reach that goal this year. but, any amount i put away saves me lots of $$ as i spend at least $9 per quart (maybe more, i don't have my receipts in front of me).

last year, the spouts ran into buckets that i covered with trash bags to keep out the rain and bugs. this year, i washed out gallon vinegar bottles and have the spouts running directly into the bottles. i cut a small hole in the corner of a gallon zip lock bag and pulled it over the spout first to protect the opening from rain/bugs. i can just bring out new bottles and switch them out every day since i have several empty vinegar bottles (i use vinegar in the wash with every load in the fabric softener dispenser.)

last year, i boiled it down in the kitchen which was workable but awful humid. this year, i think i'll try it outdoors on the gas camp stove.

i am tapping 2 weeks earlier this year than last...i tapped very late last year and it only lasted about 2 weeks, tops. next year, i hope to tap mid-january.