During the last warm spell here in southeastern Manitoba, the maple sap had already started to flow however, it may now be a week or two before the harvest gets under way.

Colleen Edmunds, the Owner of Grunthal Berries and Vegetables says she makes maples syrup as a hobby. She notes during the mild weather last week, she checked her trees regularly but was still surprised to see the sap flowing this early.

"The roots and everything are starting to warm up a little bit, the water seems to be flowing so then the sap starts to flow and we are getting some sap. It usually flows when it is zero overnight and plus temperatures during the day."

Edmunds says now that temperatures have once again dropped well below freezing it has put a pause on things. She notes she expects to resume tapping her trees sometime over the next few weeks.

Edmunds says the trees she taps are Manitoba Maple, or Box Elder and most of them are on her yard. She says making maple syrup is a very rewarding hobby.

"Everyone should try it. It is really very simple. You need about 40 litres of sap to get one litre of syrup but if you only get one litre it is really fun to have made it yourself. It is a nice way to get out in the spring and do something and be outside checking your taps and things like that."

Edmunds says she will be ready to tap her trees when the weather turns warm once again.