Sap..That Would Be Me

I was into Home Supply Hardware picking up some new shop light flo-tubes today and there ahead of me at the register was a woman buying some plastic tubing and other supplies for tapping her maple trees.  

Astonished and in a great rush to show my ignorance, I boldly stated.." The sap isn't running yet!"  Instantly I caught myself thinking, why else would she be buying these things dummy, and followed up with a pathetic..

"Is it?" 

And in front of the proprietor and several knowledgeable customers about such matters, I was appropriately admonished.  

Can the chives and pussy willows be far behind?