If you’re using tin cans to collect the sap, make a hole near the rims and hang on the hooks. If you’re using gallon plastic jugs, hang them by a hole in the handle, because it is the strongest part of the jugs.
If you get the jugs up by 10 o’clock in the morning, they should be full by suppertime. In fact, if it is a really good day, you may have to empty them twice. About then you’ll wish you had a gathering pail — a cheap plastic bucket will work nicely.
Start boiling. As soon as you’ve gathered, you can start boiling. A pot that will hold at least 2 gallons is best. Just pour in the sap and leave it to simmer all night. At this stage, no special precautions are necessary.
In the morning, if you’re lucky, the volume will be down about half, and by afternoon it will be down to about a quarter. At this point, you will need to decide whether to keep adding fresh sap or to finish off each batch separately. Since 2 gallons of sap make less than 1 cup of maple syrup, it’s a good idea to add fresh sap to make at least 1 pint at a time.
Once the sap has boiled down to about one-tenth of its original volume, you should start watching it carefully. Skim off the thick white foam from the top and discard it. The syrup may boil up abruptly if the heat is too high. Adding a single drop of cream will send it right back down and enable you to keep it boiling.
If you have a candy thermometer, use it to test whether the syrup is done. It should read seven degrees above the boiling point of water — 219°F (104°C). Or dip an ordinary spatula into the boiling sap and hold it vertically over the pot. If the syrup is ready, a thin “apron” of maple will appear at the bottom of the spatula. If the sap is still too thin, it will simply drip back into the pot.
Filtering. All right, it aproned. You have syrup. Since this syrup is for home use, you can immediately store it in a clean glass jar with an airtight lid. The next day, however, there will be unattractive sediment at the bottom of the jar. The old-timers just poured off the clear syrup from above it, but you may prefer to filter it. Commercial sugarers use a special felted-wool filter, but you can simply pour it through a paper coffee filter, or even a funnel lined with paper toweling.
Repeat these steps until the season ends or you get tired, whichever comes first. Small-scale sugaring is so slow a process that people often do tire of it while the sap is still running. In that case, simply pull out the spouts and stop.
End of season. But suppose you don’t get tired. How will you know when to stop? Over several weeks, the cans or jugs fill more and more slowly. One afternoon, you’ll go out to gather and find that they contain either nothing or just a little bit of pale yellow, or maybe bright yellow, sap. The trees are now ready to bud, and the sap is worthless for making syrup. Throw it out and call the season over.
If you kept going all season, you should have about 1 quart of syrup per tap.
Grading Syrup
Maple syrup is graded by its color, which is an accurate indicator of its flavor. A commercial grading set, consisting of little bottles of colored syrup for matching, can be purchased if you want to test your own.
Fancy. Pale golden, delicately flavored
Grade A. Light amber, rich but mild in flavor
Grade B. Medium amber, robust flavor
Grade C. Dark amber, strong in flavor
It takes about 9 gallons of maple sap to make 1 pint of syrup.
Resources
Chapter 1: The Home Vegetable Garden
Nurseries and Seed Companies
Abundant Life Seeds
541-767-9606
www.abundantlifeseeds.com
Alberta Nurseries & Seeds, Ltd.
403-224-3544
www.gardenersweb.ca
Allen, Sterling and Lothrop
207-781-4142
www.allensterlinglothrop.com
Comstock, Ferre and Co.
800-733-3773
www.comstockferre.com
The Cook’s Garden
800-457-9703
www.cooksgarden.com
D. V. Burrell Seed Growers Co.
866-254-7333
www.burrellseeds.com
Fedco Seeds
207-873-7333
www.fedcoseeds.com
Grow Italian
781-721-5904
www.growitalian.com
High Mowing Organic Seeds
802-472-6174
www.highmowingseeds.com
J. W. Jung Seed Company
800-297-3123
www.jungseed.com
Pinetree Garden Seeds
207-926-3400
www.superseeds.com
Seed Savers Exchange
563-382-5990
www.seedsavers.org
W. Atlee Burpee Seed Co.
800-333-5808
www.burpee.com
Gardening Supplies
Gardener’s Supply Company
888-833-1412
www.gardeners.com
Gardens Alive!
513-354-1482
www.gardensalive.com
Harris Seeds
800-544-7938
www.harrisseeds.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
877-564-6997
www.johnnyseeds.com
Lee Valley Tools
800-871-8158 (United States)
800-267-8767 (Canada)
www.leevalley.com
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
888-784-1722
www.groworganic.com
Smith & Hawken
800-940-1170
www.smithandhawken.com
Canning and Preserving Supplies
Ball Canning
www.freshpreserving.com
Creative Cookware
866-291-9199
www.creativecookware.com
Cumberland General Store
800-334-4640
www.cumberlandgeneral.com
Highland Brands, LLC
800-285-9044
www.canningpantry.com
Lehman’s
877-438-5346
www.lehmans.com
Online Resources
Kitchen Gardeners International
www.kitchengardeners.org
Mother Earth News
www.motherearthnews.com
Organic Gardening magazine
www.organicgardening.com
Chapter 2: Backyard Fruits and Nuts
Nurseries
Burgess Seed and Plant Company
309-662-7761
www.eburgess.com
Edible Landscaping
434-361-9134
www.ediblelandscaping.com
Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Company
513-354-1491
www.gurneys.com
Miller Nurseries
800-836-9630
www.millernurseries.com
Raintree Nursery
360-496-6400
www.raintreenursery.com
Winemaking and Cidermaking Supplies
Bacchus and Barleycorn, Ltd.
913-962-2501
www.bacchus-barleycorn.com
The Beverage People
800-544-1867
www.thebeveragepeople.com
The Home Vintner
888-222-0486
www.thehomevintner.com
Leeners
800-543-3697
www.leeners.com
Northampton Beer & Winemaking Supplies
800-473-2739
www.beer-winemaking.com
Vinquiry
707-838-6312
www.vinquiry.com
Fruit Drying Supplies
Allied Kenco
800-356-5189
www.alliedkenco.com
Creative Cookware
866-291-9199
www.creativecookware.com
Everything Kitchens
866-852-4268
www.everythingkitchens.com
Harvest Essentials
877-759-3758
www.
harvestessentials.com
Lehman’s
877-438-5346
www.lehmans.com
Online Resources
Backyard Fruit Growers
www.sas.upenn.edu/~dailey/byfg.html
California Rare Fruit Growers
www.crfg.org
North American Fruit Explorers
www.nafex.org
Northern Nut Growers Association
www.icserv.com/nnga
Chapter 3: Easy, Fragrant Herbs
Herb Nurseries
Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens
800-874-3727
http://gilbertiesherbs.com
Hartman’s Herb Farm
978-355-2015
www.hartmansherbfarm.com
Mountain Valley Growers
559-338-2775
www.mountainvalleygrowers.com
Renaissance Acres Organic Herb Farm
734-449-8336
http://raorganicherbfarm.com
Richters Herbs
905-640-6677
www.richtersherbs.com
Herbal Tea Supplies
Dr. Christopher’s Herb Shop
888-372-4372
http://drchristophersherbshop.com
Dry Creek Herb Farm
888-489-8454
www.drycreekherbfarm.com
Great Cape Herbs
800-427-7144
www.greatcape.com
Jean’s Greens
518-479-0471
www.jeansgreens.com
Mountain Rose Herbs
800-879-3337
www.mountainroseherbs.com
Herbal Vinegar Supplies
Beer & Wine Hobby
781-933-8818
www.beer-wine.com
Dean & Deluca
800-221-7714
www.deandeluca.com
Leeners
800-543-3697
www.leeners.com
Sunburst Bottle Company
916-929-4500
www.sunburstbottle.com
Online Resources
Avena Botanicals
www.avenabotanicals.com
The Herb Society of America
www.herbsociety.org
Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center and Botanical Sanctuary
www.sagemountain.com
Chapter 4: Homegrown Grains
Nurseries
Bountiful Gardens
707-459-6410
www.bountifulgardens.org
Fedco Seeds
207-873-7333
www.fedcoseeds.com
Freshops
800-460-6925
www.freshops.com
Nichols Garden Nursery
800-422-3985
www.nicholsgardennursery.com
Rupp Seeds, Inc.
877-591-7333
www.ruppseeds.com
Grain Mills and Baking Supplies
Bob’s Red Mill
800-349-2173
www.bobsredmill.com
Country Living Products
360-652-0671
www.countrylivinggrainmills.com
Kitchen Krafts, Inc.
800-298-5389
www.kitchenkrafts.com
Pleasant Hill Grain
800-321-1073
www.pleasanthillgrain.com
The Urban Homemaker
800-552-7323
www.urbanhomemaker.com
Pasta Making Supplies
A-Best Fixture Co.
888-388-9641
www.akitchen.com
Creative Cookware
866-291-9199
www.creativecookware.com
Kasba House
888-396-5066
www.kasbahouse.com
Smith Housewares & Restaurant Supply
315-474-8731
www.smithrestaurantsupply.com
Beer Brewing Supplies
American Brewmaster
919-850-0095
www.americanbrewmaster.com
DeFalco’s Home Wine & Beer Supplies
800-216-2739
www.defalcos.com
The Grape and Granary
800-695-9870
www.grapeandgranary.com
Midwest Homebrewing Supplies
888-449-2739
www.midwestsupplies.com
William’s Brewing Company
800-759-6025
www.williamsbrewing.com
Chapter 5: Poultry for Eggs and Meat
Ducks, Chickens, and Geese
Hoffman Hatchery
717-365-3694
www.hoffmanhatchery.com
Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms
254-697-6677
www.ideal-poultry.com
Murray McMurray Hatchery
800-456-3280
www.mcmurrayhatchery.com
Privett Hatchery
877-774-8388
www.privetthatchery.com
Sand Hill Preservation Center
563-246-2299
www.sandhillpreservation.com
Poultry Supplies
Cold Springs Farm
518-234-8320
www.coldspringsfarm.net
Cutler’s Pheasant and Poultry Supply
810-633-9450
www.cutlersupply.com
EggCartons.com Division of Kings Supply
888-852-5340
www.eggcartons.com
G. Q. F. Manufacturing Company
912-236-0651
www.gqfmfg.com
Randall Burkey Company
800-531-1097
www.randallburkey.com
Chapter 6: Meat and Dairy
Goat, Sheep, Cattle, Rabbit, and Pig Supplies
American Livestock Supply
800-356-0700
www.americanlivestock.com
FarmTek
800-327-6835
www.farmtek.com
Hoegger Goat Supply
800-221-4628
www.hoeggergoatsupply.com
Jeffers Livestock Supply
800-533-3377
www.jefferspet.com
Kane Manufacturing Company
800-247-0038
www.kanemfg.com
Nasco Farm & Ranch
800-558-9595
www.enasco.com/farmandranch
Valley Vet Supply
800-419-9524
www.valleyvet.com
Western Ranch Supply
800-548-7270
www.westernranchsupply.com
Sausagemaking, Meat Processing, and Smoking Supplies
Allied Kenco
800-356-5189
www.alliedkenco.com
Eldon’s Sausage and Jerky Supply
800-352-9453 www.eldonsausage.com
Frisco Brand Spices
800-762-6689
www.friscospices.com
The Home Processor
770-535-7381
www.home-processor.com
LEM Products
877-536-7763
www.lemproducts.com
Cheesemaking Supplies
Caprine Supply
913-585-1191
www.caprinesupply.com
Glengarry Cheesemaking and Dairy Supply Ltd.
888-816-0903
www.glengarrycheesemaking.on.ca
Hoegger Goat Supply
800-221-4628
www.hoeggergoatsupply.com
New England Cheesemaking Supply Company
413-628-3808
www.cheesemaking.com
Milking Equipment and Supplies
The Coburn Company, Inc.
800-776-7042
www.coburn.com
Hamby Dairy Supply
800-306-8937
http://hambydairysupply.com
Wiggins & Associates Inc.
800-600-0716
www.wigginsinc.com
Chapter 7: Food from the Wild
Beekeeping Supplies
Betterbee
80
0-632-3379
www.betterbee.com
Brushy Mountain Bee Farm
800-233-7929
www.brushymountainbeefarm.com
F. W. Jones
800-665 6637
www.fwjones.com
Mann Lake Ltd.
800-880-7694
www.mannlakeltd.com
Rossman Apiaries Inc.
800-333-7677
www.gabees.com
Maple Sugaring Supplies
Leader Evaporator Co.
802-868-5444
www.leaderevaporator.com
The Maple Guys LLC
888-627-5349
www.mapleguys.com
MKS Enterprises
315-353-2808
www.maplemadness.com
Sugar Bush Supplies Co.
517-349-5185
www.sugarbushsupplies.com
Online Resources
Fallen Fruit
www.fallenfruit.org
Fish and Wildlife Service
www.fws.gov
Wildman Steve Brill
www.wildmanstevebrill.com
Bibliography of Related Storey Books
GARDENING
Carrots Love Tomatoes
by Louise Riotte
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
by Barbara Pleasant and Deborah L. Martin
Don’t Throw It, Grow It!
by Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam
Fruits and Berries for the Home Garden
by Lewis Hill
Garden Way’s Joy of Gardening
by Dick Raymond
The Gardener’s A–Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
by Tanya L.K. Denckla
Growing 101 Herbs That Heal
by Tammi Hartung
Growing & Using Herbs Successfully
by Betty E. Jacobs
The Herb Gardener
by Susan McClure
Herbal Remedy Gardens
by Dorie Byers
Herbal Tea Gardens
by Marietta Marshall Marcin
The Homebrewer’s Garden
by Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher
Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers
by Edward C. Smith
Landscaping with Fruit
by Lee Reich
The Perfect Pumpkin
by Gail Damerow
Roses Love Garlic
by Louise Riotte
Saving Seeds
by Marc Rogers
Secrets to Great Soil
by Elizabeth P. Stell
Seed Sowing and Saving
by Carole B. Turner
Storey’s Basic Country Skills
edited by John and Martha Storey
The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible
by Edward C. Smith
The Veggie Gardener’s Answer Book
by Barbara Ellis
COOKING AND FOOD PRESERVING
500 Treasured Country Recipes
by Martha Storey and Friends
Apple Cookbook
by Olwen Woodier
Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game
by John J. Mettler Jr., DVM
The Backyard Homestead Page 36
