We live in the northeastern Ozarks. Our hillside is full of hard maples and they produce good syrup, if the weather cooperates. Last year was pretty productive. This year, not so much. We tend to go from below freezing day and night to days like today. It started out around 25 this morning and topped out around 60. The sap won't flow in those conditions.
Fortunately, we put up a lot of syrup last year and it stores well. We had intended to make sugar this year. Oh, well, maybe next.
Like most things in nature, collecting sap is driven by things outside my control. I kind of like it that way.
Thank you for this summary explainer, Casey! As a native Southern Californian I am completely ignorant of this background. No more! 😊👍
I know next to nothing about harvesting and preparing prickly pear so it all evens out.
We live in the northeastern Ozarks. Our hillside is full of hard maples and they produce good syrup, if the weather cooperates. Last year was pretty productive. This year, not so much. We tend to go from below freezing day and night to days like today. It started out around 25 this morning and topped out around 60. The sap won't flow in those conditions.
Fortunately, we put up a lot of syrup last year and it stores well. We had intended to make sugar this year. Oh, well, maybe next.
Like most things in nature, collecting sap is driven by things outside my control. I kind of like it that way.
Nature's gifts are not a given.