How do you know when maple syrup is syrup? Either by watching the local boiling point or hydrometer, Eric tells about how to boil maple sap into maple syrup, here is a great how-to by the CT DEP http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/forestry/ctwildlife/cwjf12.pdf#page=10
Then Eric has the secret to world peace. We discuss
Eric was a guest of Ford at the New York International Auto Show, and learned about Ford's C-Max line of electric hybrid cars and got to check out the new 2014 Ford Fiesta with a 1.0L Eco-Boost engine 
Ford Eco Boost 1.0 L engine
We asked people on Twitter and Facebook what they wanted us to talk about and Matt wants to hear about splitting a hive, so we talk about why one splits a hive, and how to capture a swarm, here is the link to Eric showing how to capture a honeybee swarm.
Several viewers asked us to talk about the "Monsanto Bill" that was slipped into law, Rick talks about it and his take on GMOs
Our GMO talk moved on to apple tree breeding, and Eric mentioned the Newtown Pippin in neighbor's yard, which makes great cider.
You can buy heirloom apple trees from fedco here.
Another Viewer asked about coffee. Rick and Eric know nothing about making or drinking coffee, but Rick suggests using coffee sacks for your bee smoker
rick has new open space minus pool
we talk coffee,
And then we admit we know nothing about raising chickens either. But Rick talks about chicken moats anyway.
We touch on Parking, and here are the two podcasts Eric referenced: CBC Ideas with Paul Kennedy http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/podcasts/
Freakonomics Podcast : http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/03/13/parking-is-hell-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/
Then Viewer Mail:
Can you eat the leaves of Brussel Sprouts? Eric thinks so, its part of cabbage plant
Can you grow garlic in Uganda? Yes.
We read a note from Josh Bauer local food farmer in Florida, aetherfarms.com
LJC
Hi Eric,
I like growing brussels, broccoli and kohlrabi especially for their leaves! They are incredibly nutritious and taste amazing in stir fries! A stirfry with a mix of brussel sprout leaves, broccoli leaves, kohlrabi leaves, cabbage leaves, swiss chard leaves, pac choi leaves and kale leaves is one of my greatest gardening accomplishments to date 🙂 I am a stirfry and juicing queen lol. So growing my own greens is a huge gardening priority. Rick is right, the leaves tend to get smaller and more bitter as the plant bolts so try to harvest them before it does. With regards to signalling, the worst is when someone signals at the very last second in the middle of an intersection to turn left. It doesn't give the people behind them any warning nor the opportunity to get into the right lane and pass them. Bus drivers always signal at the very last second and pull out without even looking. Truck drivers often drive in the left lane at a snail's pace and I think that being against the law is a very good thing. You can bet that the senator who slipped in the Monsanto bill was a Republican who has been bought off in some way or another. It's shocking that this practice of attaching bills at the last minute is not illegal especially when you think about the enormous implications this has on the genetic diversity of our food supply and our ability to make educated choices about what we put into our body. Coffee should taste sweet, smooth and have a flavour profile not unlike fine wine. It is a heavily sprayed crop so organic is best. The region, type of bean, grind, brewing process, water purity and temperature will all impact your cup of joe. My favourite coffee is from Guatemala and I love to sprinkle ground cinnamon with my coffee grounds before brewing. It makes for heaven in a cup! I just learned about Tanglefoot for my asian pear and apple trees. I bought some flagging tape and a paintbrush and plan to give it a go next weekend...hope it solves my ant/aphid problem this summer. I also learned that you should spray your fruit trees with a dormant oil and sulfur in the winter time...not sure how to do this yet. Wouldn't it be great if every plant you bought came with a manual? I really love your radio show and videos especially the gardening and cooking ones. Hope you do a few filming what you plant in your garden and raised beds this year. Thanks and happy growing!
OurplaceBFN
Hi All
I just wanted to say thank you. Your videos are inspiring, and I love the "naturalness" of your videos. I especially like the unedited oops you make. I much rather watch you struggle as you make and teach. It shows how real you are.
My wife and I just moved to 5 acres to start a hobby farm. Through the International Preppers Forum I found your link and I have been hooked ever since. I would love to support you financially but we are boke these days. We struggle to keep the restaurant up and running daily. So a garden is one way we hope to supplement the business as well as our root cellar. When we get back on our feet I will be glad to donate.
In the meantime keep up the great teachings and know that for me I feel more confident attacking projects after watching you.
Thanks again
P 🙂
Cynthia
Great job on these show notes! Love the links. Thx,
Cynthia