I mentioned a year ago that my family produces maple syrup. We have about 350 taps on about 700 trees. Next weekend we will invite on Friday other home school families and on Saturday and Sunday, the general public to our woods. 2013 marks the 131st year that may family has produced maple syrup in these woods, and the sixth year we've invited groups of people to our facility on the third weekend of March. We keep the date set on the third weekend of March for simplicity sake.
There's only one problem right now. We've not produced one single gallon of syrup yet. It's been too stinking cold. DW and I tapped about 2/3 of the trees last Sunday, and my dad finished up on Tuesday. As of right now we've gathered about 100 gallons of sap, which would boil down to about 2 and a half gallons of syrup. Ouch.
Ideal syrup producing weather is 26 degrees F or colder at night and 37 degrees or more (preferably 40-45) during the day. The freeze/thaw cycles keep the sap moving down to the roots (cold) and up to the branches (warm) each day. We capture about 10% of the tree's sap as it's moving up. We've not been much warmer than about 36 since Sunday, and closer to 34 or 35.
Looking at the 10 day forecast, every day through next Sunday (except for next Monday) looks pretty good. A week from today we could have 90-120 gallons boiled down and packaged. Fingers crossed.
We call this a hobby that pays for itself. It demands 6-8 weeks of our time each spring. We make a little money at it. Most of the money gets pumped back into the business/hobby.
It's a great experience for our kids. Life outdoors, family togetherness, and with the tours, really helps their public speaking/public relations skills. DW and I represent the 5th generation of my family to carry on the tradition.
Maple Syrup
March 8th, 2013 at 02:41 pm
March 8th, 2013 at 02:55 pm 1362754501
March 8th, 2013 at 02:55 pm 1362754553
March 8th, 2013 at 03:13 pm 1362755580
March 8th, 2013 at 05:32 pm 1362763927
March 8th, 2013 at 06:07 pm 1362766055
March 8th, 2013 at 07:49 pm 1362772181
Here's our pricing schedule:
8 oz. Oval Pure Maple Syrup .................. $6
12 oz. Oval Pure Maple Syrup.................. $8
Pint Pure Maple Syrup ........................ $9
Quart Pure Maple Syrup ....................... $16
Half-Gallon Pure Maple Syrup ................. $27
Gallon Pure Maple Syrup ...................... $50
Add shipping cost - usually UPS. We charge you whatever they charge us - no "handling".
March 10th, 2013 at 05:03 pm 1362934989
As far as the home school kids go, if the weather doesn't cooperate it will be an excellent opportunity for them to learn that any agricultural business is subject to the vagaries of Mother Nature.
March 12th, 2013 at 08:02 pm 1363118570
We are fans of "real" maple syrup. Yum!
March 12th, 2013 at 08:43 pm 1363121014