March 31, 2010

The season ended today. With the warm weather and no frost at night the sap has stopped flowing. Our production is down this year but we look forward to next year. We have some amber syrup for sale at the camp. We will be open Easter weekend.

March 28, 2010

It is slowly warming up this morning. We hope the sap will run later today. The Kettle Boys have some sap so they are in operation as usual and we still have snow for taffy-on-the-snow.

March 26, 2010
We made some syrup on March 24 and 25th but no sap ran today, as it was below freezing all day.. We saved some sap for the Kettle Boys and they will be operating over the weekend as usual. We will also have a fire in our fire pit for a warm up opportunity. Most of the snow has gone from the trails. We still have  syrup for sale and our back orders are ready for pickup.

March 23,2010

Sap is continuing to run after some frost on Monday night. Sugar content is going down, below 2% from the tree, which increases the amount of boiling required to make syrup. Sap often runs at 3% or better in our sugar bush.To-days syrup was amber in colour and strong in flavour due to the warm weather.

March 21, 2010
Mainly clear and cool this morning. We are open and have light, medium and amber syrup for sale. Also back orders are ready for pickup. Some spring migrant birds have returned and the red shouldered hawks are also back. The hawks return each year within a day or two of the the 22nd. This year they were two days early do to the warm weather. We usually see them first thing in the morning and later this month or early April they will be doing their courtship flight, which is spectacular if you are fortunate enough to catch them in flight.

March 20, 2010
Not much sap today We hope the  frost in the forecast will recharge the trees. We currently have some light and amber syrup for sale Our medium syrup is sold out until we can make some more. The Kettle Boys and Shanty Men are in full operation.

March 19, 2010
A small run of sap last night so we will be boiling today. Syrup is dark due to the warm weather. Saturday weather looks favourable and all activities will be underway.

March 18, 2010
The warm weather continues which is not very favourable for our operation. We are managing to coax some sap from the trees with our vacuum system. We hope the cold weather in the forecast will help the situation. Still snow for taffy-on-the-snow and the trails are now easier to walk.

March 16, 2010
The life of a sugar-maker is not easy. This year is turning out to be a real challenge. Fortunately, we were ready for the early start and have made some nice syrup. The warm weather this week will not help as it will melt the snow and reduce the quality of the sap. We are only half way through our target production so we hope the cold weather in the forecast will prolong the season.We do not have any special activities this week but we do have taffy on the snow and our trails are open.

March 14, 2010
In spite of the rain showers several people have visited the camp this morning. The sap is not running very hard today so we are not boiling at the main camp but the Kettle Boys and Shanty Men are busy. a good day to pick up your syrup if you have it on order. Call ahead to be sure it is put aside.

March 13, 2010
The sap is running and we are in full production. Although showers are forecast for Sunday, we will still be operating and we expect the sap will continue to flow. By the way there is no charge for a visit to Fortune Farms and you are under no obligation to buy any of our products. But after a taste you may be tempted.

March 12, 2010
We are getting ready for the weekend. The weather looks favourable so we expect to be in production both days. Today we are making maple butter, maple candy and maple tarts so all our special maple treats will be available.

March 11, 2010
Another good run of sap yesterday and it is continuing today. We now have light and medium syrup for sale.

March 10, 2010
The fine weather continues and the sap continues to run. We have now had a week of almost unprecedented good weather for maple syrup production and we are working hard to take full advantage of this opportunity.

March 8, 2010
Another beautiful day and we expect another good run of sap. So far we have made extra light and light but expect it will turn to medium as the weather warms.

March 7, 2010
Sap has been running steadily each day and we are in full production. We now have early season syrup for sale at the camp as well as maple butter and maple candy. The first visitors arrived at the sugar bush yesterday and watched the Kettle Boys and Shanty Men set up and start operating. the trails are open but there is still almost a foot of snow in the bush.

March 5, 2010
First boiling went as planned on March 4 and we made some very nice first run syrup. We have a backlog of sap and will be boiling again today. The Kettle Boys and the Shanty Men are setting up shop today so on Saturday and Sunday all our activities will be underway.

March 4, 2010
Sap ran well on March 3rd and we expect sap today. We will be boiling for the first time today. Weather looks promising for the weekend so we expect to be in full operation.