Maple Season 2026: Catching the January Thaw

Jun 12, 2026

A tree frog decided to rest on our mainlines in the sugarwoods.

Winter arrived differently this year in Vermont’s maple woods. While most maple seasons at Carman Brook Farm begin sometime in February and March, the 2026 season surprised us with something we had never experienced before: a productive January thaw.

Because Levon already had approximately 75% of the sugarwoods tapped before the warm spell arrived, we were able to take full advantage of conditions that might otherwise have slipped by unnoticed. Even more surprising was the quality of the sap itself. Early season sap sugar content measured around 2%, much higher than we expected for the middle of January.

That early thaw led to three boil days in January alone, producing 563 gallons of maple syrup — about 7.5% of our entire season’s production before February had even really begun. And that's 4% more syrup than the 2025 season.

After such an early start, it would have been easy to assume the season would continue at a rapid pace. Instead, the remainder of the year settled into a much more traditional rhythm.

An evening boiling and working in the sugarhouse.

A Slow February and a Strong March

After the excitement of January, February turned surprisingly quiet. We boiled only one day during the entire month as colder temperatures returned and sap flow slowed significantly.

March ultimately became the heart of the season, accounting for the majority of our production with 18 boil days throughout the month. April added another 10 boil days and helped carry the season to a satisfying finish on April 11.

While the season began unusually early, much of the actual production timing after January ended up looking fairly average compared to previous years. In total, the 2026 maple season lasted 91 days from the first boil to the final run, producing 7,502 gallons of maple syrup over 32 boil days.

The final numbers placed 2026 slightly above our long-term production average and firmly into the category of a full crop year.

Maple Production Stats

Year	Boiling Hours	Start	End	Days in Season	Boil Days	Gallons Produced
2026	167	1/11	4/11	91	32	7,502
2025	161	2/26	4/15	49	35	7,205
2024	139	2/9	4/10	62	40	6,534
2023	166	2/10	4/11	61	41	7,702
2022	156	2/18	4/11	52	32	6,994
2021*	106	3/3	4/4	35	18	4,663
2020	235	2/24	4/4	41	32	7,513
2019	203	3/12	4/13	33	31	7,974
2018	197	2/16	4/21	65	45	7,050
2017	179	2/20	4/11	51	36	7,360
2016	247	2/21	4/17	57	37	6,989
Average*	178	Feb 18	Apr 12	54	34	7,044
2012	116	2/19	3/20	31	17	2,297

*2021 was the year we added the new efficient reverse osmosis system.

The Waiting Game

Although the final production numbers landed fairly close to average, the season itself felt anything but average. From the first January boil to the final runs in April, maple season stretched across three full months and at times felt like it would never end.

Part of that feeling came from the unusual pacing of the year. Instead of a compact stretch of consistent sap flow, the season was broken up by long pauses, changing weather patterns, and periods of waiting for the next run. Even though the total number of boil days ended up being close to normal, the extended calendar made the season feel much longer than the statistics alone would suggest.

Tractor rolling off the edge of the ditch getting pulled out.

Oops! Just a tad too close to the edge!

Light Syrup and Exceptional Quality

One of the most noticeable characteristics of the 2026 season was the syrup color. Compared to some recent years that produced larger amounts of darker syrup, this season generated a significant amount of lighter syrup grades with delicate flavor profiles.

More importantly, the overall quality of the syrup throughout the season was exceptional. From the first January boil through the final runs in April, the syrup consistently showed excellent flavor, clarity, and color.

Moments from the Sugarwoods

One of the best parts of maple season is that long days in the woods often come with unexpected moments that have nothing to do with production numbers. This year, Levon captured a great photo of a tree frog stretched out along one of the sap lines, soaking up the sunshine during a warm afternoon in the sugarwoods. Small moments like that are part of what makes maple season special. Between the steam rising from the sugarhouse, changing weather, wildlife sightings, and time spent in the woods, every season develops its own personality beyond the syrup itself.

Another look at the tree frog hanging out on the sap lines.

As always, each maple season leaves us with new lessons and new stories from the sugarwoods. From boiling syrup during a January thaw for the first time in our farm’s history to watching the season slowly build into a full crop year, 2026 will certainly be remembered as one of the more unique seasons we’ve experienced.

We’re grateful for another successful season, thankful for everyone who supports our family farm, and excited to share this year’s maple syrup with you.