Massachusetts maple syrup from a small family farm.
The New Year started with a sparkle, with a January 1 storm creating a gorgeous ice display. Joe and I were concerned at first that we may have lost some sugar maples with the weight of the ice. A few years back we had a nasty ice storm that decimated the forest. So much clean up! This year, though, no need for Joe to start the chain saw. Just incredible beauty for our morning walk.
It’s official, the 2019 maple season is over for us! Joe has been working out in the woods pulling taps. It was a less-than-average year for production. That’s how it goes…it’s all up to Mother Nature! Thanks to all of you who stopped by, shared our Facebook page, and otherwise connected in community! The season may be over, but here’s to enjoying the sweet taste of our labor all year long!!
I began the season with the sound of spring as sap plopped into the bucket. I’m ending the season with the view of spring with pussy willows. Today is he last open house, and yes, Joe will be boiling. Open from 11-4 today!
As I write this, Joe is down at the Sugar Shack running the sap through the reverse osmosis machine. That process takes the sugar content from about 2% to 12%, making it much more efficient to boil. While he’s doing that, all the dogs want to do is play! Come by to enjoy the sun and a taste of the sweet stuff. We’re open from 11-4 today.
The phone has been busy ringing today, Saturday, asking about the open house. Yes, we are open SUNDAY, March 24. But not today, I’m sorry to say! Here’s what I woke up to here on the farm this morning. Hope to see you tomorrow, when the sun is shining and Joe is boiling sap that is sure to flow today.
In celebration of the state-wide MA maple weekend, the Hardwick Sugar Shack will be open Saturday and Sunday this weekend, March 16-17, from 11-4. We will be boiling sap, to make great syrup you can taste! The weather has made for a slow start this season. We are about 1/2 the production we are usually at this point. This week looks really promising—with freezing nights and day temps in the 40’s. Fingers crossed!
Because of the storm, the open house for today is cancelled. It’s a good day to stay inside and read in front of a fire, or go for a ski (I just went cross country skiing. It’s lovely!) There is no sap to boil. Next weekend, though, looks like the pick of the month. It’s MA Maple weekend, and so we will be open Saturday and Sunday. Spring will come!
I love the plop, plop, plop of sap in the bucket. Listen closely and you can here the sap flow increasing as the sun comes out from behind a cloud.
Joe and I are just back from collecting sap. It’s cold outside, but will be warm tomorrow when the evaporator is going! Join us at the open house from 11-4. Here’s a short video on Facebook from the sugar house.
This was the picture from my back deck just a few weeks ago. Winter was lovely, but now the view is very different. The spring sun is here, the snow is all melted, and the first open house starts this Sunday, March 3, 2018.
Join us any Sunday in March from 11-4 to see how we make maple syrup, test this year’s crop, and to just enjoy the pleasure of getting outdoors as spring fever sets in.
Hardwick Sugar Shack