RicelandMeadows

March 5, 2024

We gathered sap again. The horses and my helpers did an outstanding job. We collected on this unseasonable warm and dry day. We finished towards dark. The horses got a partial bath to wash mud from their feet and legs. The kids got a meal for their bellies and then we fed the other farm animals.

I had the steam rolling good on our fifth boil by lunchtime the next day. The season is looking short due to the high temperatures and no freezing nights, but we shall see.

The temperature is rising fast towards syrup (approximately 7 degrees F above boiling 212) But patience must be had to ensure a great final product, checked with a syrup hydrometer at 66.5 brix.

Yesterday March fourth was a very warm day outside. We hit 72 degrees F. I fired the evaporator for 7 straight hours in a hoodie and a protective leather apron. I was beat, but the sweet reward made it all worth it!

I get help with the canning and bottling job and boy am I glad. This whole maple process is labor intensive. Many hands make light work. All the help is greatly appreciated.

We don’t know yet what the season holds. It’s possible that the trees will bud, signaling the end of our maple season. I heard the spring “peepers” last night as I came out of the sugarhouse. Their song is also a sign of spring coming soon. I will not fret. I will continue to March Forth, until Mother Nature lets us know that we are done for this year.