Sunset Farm, 20 Brigham Lane, Amherst, MA (2026)

09/07/2026

Today's items

1. grade the potatoes that are under a tarp next to the washing trough. Just 2 grades : smaller than an egg and other. throw away all uglies... we brought them up so we would not have potato w**ds in the chestnut field next year.. Put the normal sized ones in the 22" wide net bags that have a black draw ribbon and stack them in the gray cooler Put 30 lbs in each bag.
2. Mow the w**ds either side of the 23, 24, 25 fabric rows. Carefully remove the three rows of the surface mounted drip tape and wind it up on a hose caddy, to be reused. Find, pull and save any 8" staples that held down the tapes and the fabric.
3. Harvest a couple of loader fulls of watermelon and carefully set them on the ground infront of the yellow cooler
4. pick up the remaining sugar pumpkins in row 7 put them in lugs for now and put the lugs near the yellow cooler
5. Check for hot peppers; we have three types. Jalapeno,cayenne and cherry The cayenne are picked when they are red. Put them in the yellow cooler
6. Check that the yellow stand inside and out has price signs on each item. Use a fat pen .
7. W**d the parsley at the south end of row 35
8 mow the high w**ds east of the potatoes and east of the berry patch.
9,w**d the the berry patch you will need a least a clipper to do that. clip away dead brances with you do too.
10.Remove the row strings on the cilantro row ( 14 or so) wind them up for next year. Maybe we have an empty plastic reel, they are so much easier to manage. I will go get one if we don't .
Yesterday

a.How to make a bouquet seminar /workshop was very successful yesterday. It was designed and managed by Lisa Ades about 15 attended.
b. I mowed the potatoes so digging them will be a litlle easier . Looks like we have two rows to go. It would be good for us to leave them sit another week will have the potatoes we have , graded and bagged set in the dark, 42 degree gray cooler.
c. I installed a 1/2" x 2" x 35" wood strip to the bottom face of the gray cooler door. If that gets a hole in it I will replace it with steel .. The local mice are eating in the cooler and they can eat a hole potato or at least a hole.
d We picked yellow tomatoes for the stand,,, they are at their peak now!
e. We sold a least 5 boxes of tomatoes
f. Bob Cyr fixed the cash box lid. The whole cash column was sprayed yellow and a very awkward " CASH" sign was applied... we will replace that after consulting with Lenny Friedlander
g. Our beautiful tomato still-life painted last year by my granddaughter Bea, went missing for a few hours. It showed up next to our signs on Sunset/Brigham I will put it back out on Amity st.
h. The frat next door had about a thousand visitors Saturday afternoon. Maybe it was a volleyball championship... the gathering came and went by foot in long lines. As far as I noticed there was only one porta-potty; maybe that is why they were totally gone in a couple of hours. (no red cups either... I hope they were successful).

IMG_3946.heic we will have a better picture ..tomorrow
IMG_6705.JPG yellow tomatoes are at their peak... no they won't turn red.

weather .. getting cooler

Current conditions at
Chicopee Falls / Westover Air Force Base (KCEF)
Lat: 42.2°NLon: 72.53°WElev: 246ft.

Fair

47°F

8°C

Humidity 95%
Wind Speed Calm
Barometer 30.07 in (1018.6 mb)
Dewpoint 46°F (8°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 7 Sep 6:55 am EDT
More Information:

Local Forecast Office
More Local Wx
3 Day History
Hourly Weather Forecast

Extended Forecast for
Amherst MA
Labor Day

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 78. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

High: 78 °F

Sunny

Tonight

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Light northeast wind.

Low: 55 °F

Mostly Clear

Tuesday

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

High: 80 °F

Mostly Sunny

Tuesday Night

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.

Low: 56 °F

Mostly Cloudy

Wednesday

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

High: 79 °F

Mostly Cloudy

Wednesday Night

Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Low: 66 °F

Mostly Cloudy
then Showers
Likely

Thursday

Thursday: A chance of showers before 8am, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

High: 81 °F

Chance
Showers

Thursday Night

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Low: 57 °F

Chance
Showers then
Partly Cloudy

Friday

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

High: 75 °F

Sunny

Detailed Forecast
Labor DaySunny, with a high near 78. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
TonightMostly clear, with a low around 55. Light northeast wind.
TuesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.

--

Now it is 754 am Monday

Bill Gillen
Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

09/06/2026

yesterday

a. Market sales were $1461 about $100 better than than last year. Helpers : Louise Reilly, Ben Lynch, Sharon McDonald, Lenny Friedlander, Barbara Pearson, Connie Beautiful weather.
b. Time now : pick boxes of plum tomatoes .
c. Robert Cyr came and hardened our cash box by welding: now to repaint the yellow box and put big letters on it saying "cash." I have to tell the police that we are now taking cash again.
d. Robert Cyr determined we need a new starter button and starter assembly for the 9N. They were amazon ordered Saturday afternoon and might be delivered today the total was less than $100.
e. the Ford 8N tractor (our blue one) pulled our trailer load of squash and watermelons to the market . There it was photographed with children steering .
f. our eggplants have worms. they have one or two perfect spaghetti size holes somewhere in the body. Per AI the worms will continue to bore into them until frost. If we pick all the infested ones and spray the organic "spinosad" in the evening on the blossoms and small fruits we might be able to control them...... too much work. Between now and next spring I have to make a plan. Now I will know what to say when someone asks, "What are you thinking about?"
g. Sharon cut some arugula for the market ,it was snapped up.
IMG_6701.JPG remove all the ugly potatoes and separate the egg size and smaller into one pound net bags ... the new "baking potatoes "

Items to do this week

1. Deliver watermelons to College st Motors
2. roll up the black plastic fabric at rows 23,24,25 Pick up the drip tapes first They were stapled on top so save the staples and save the drip tape . Roll it up on a hose caddy.
3. Pick up sandbags as you encounter them put them in the sandbag piles at the north and south edge of the field.
4. Mow the w**ds down after the fabric is off the field.The mower is set on the Deere now
5. pick boxes of row 53 and 54 plum tomatoes. The long pointy ones in 54 are san marzano type ..they are huge!
6. We have sugar pumpkins ... I am ready for a taste of your pie. How about a little hot pepper ..ever heard of a spicy pumpkin pie (besides the soup) ?
7. we have way too many little tomatoes : pears, cherries , big cherries, yellow gold up in row 6. I have no idea what to do with them. They keep well and are easy to ship..so they are an international commodity available year round at Big Y ... too common to grow again , need to be special.
8. put the tables back in the greenhouse and sweep up. All the w**ds are gone. Put the empty flats and plug trays under the benches till spring.
9. And put this at the top: clean and grade the 400+ lbs of potatoes stacked next to the wash tub. Put them in our new red 22" wide net bags then put them in our gray cooler.
10. we have to eliminate the mice that nibble potatoes that are on the floor so stack them on shelves. I will set more traps and look for their entry hole( I think they use the door that has a little gap in a corner)

Current conditions at
Chicopee Falls / Westover Air Force Base (KCEF)
Lat: 42.2°NLon: 72.53°WElev: 246ft.

Overcast

61°F

16°C

Humidity 93%
Wind Speed N 6 mph
Barometer 29.92 in (1013.4 mb)
Dewpoint 59°F (15°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 6 Sep 5:55 am EDT
More Information:

Local Forecast Office
More Local Wx
3 Day History
Hourly Weather Forecast

Extended Forecast for
Amherst MA
Today

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a slight chance of showers between 9am and 10am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

High: 71 °F

Chance
Showers and
Patchy Fog
then Mostly
Sunny

Tonight

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Light north wind.

Low: 47 °F

Mostly Clear

Labor Day

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 77. Light north wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

High: 77 °F

Sunny

Monday Night

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind.

Low: 53 °F

Mostly Clear

Tuesday

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

High: 79 °F

Mostly Sunny

Tuesday Night

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Calm wind.

Low: 56 °F

Mostly Cloudy

Wednesday

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

High: 78 °F

Mostly Cloudy

Wednesday Night

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Low: 66 °F

Chance
Showers

Thursday

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

High: 79 °F

Partly Sunny

Detailed Forecast
TodayA chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a slight chance of showers between 9am and 10am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
TonightMostly clear, with a low around 47. Light north wind.
Labor DaySunny, with a high near 77. Light north wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

--

Now it is 745 am:still a small sprinkle.

Bill Gillen
Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

09/04/2026

Doing today for tomorrow's market

1.power wash the carrot lug that is in the gray cooler. Bundle them ,using heavy rubberbands ( not the thin red ones) stake them vertically in a deep lug so they look beautiful. We will not be bringing the ungraded carrots in the yellow cooler to the market. They must be perfect and straight at least 7" long. Bag the unsorted carrot lug in the yellow cooler in plastic bargain bags. Big bunches :at least a pound each.

2. We will pack and load ,during the day, the yellow van. Potatoes in $5 net bags at least 3 lbs.bag. I bought new net bags red and white , use white bags . The new bags need only to be tied at one end. Make bags of big ones and then bags of egg sized ones , little ones will be sold by the quart. Bag red and white potatoes separately.

3. To be loaded now into the yellow van ( that will be parked to be out of the sun) : tomatoes all kinds. , fresh eggplants, Beans in quart boxes,
onions loose and in bags. Match bags made by Phyllis that are on the yellow market stand counter.

4. pick chard and put in a standing steel bucket of water, pick and trim personal cabbage There should be at least a dozen personal cabbages, no more leeks :we are done there, Harvest 4 celery, trim and pack in a shallow lug ( see row 52 south end) Pick large green peppers , pick about 12 pints of various hot peppers. Don't pick cayenne till they are long and red.
5. Put only one level lug of acorns on the trailer ,please clean them with a towel
6. using the front loader pick a load of yellow watermelon Be extremely gentle with them; at this stage they split very easily, don't let them roll anywhere any distance.
7. put a lug of sugar pumpkins on the trailer.
8. Load the smaller flower bouquet holder and two watering cans of water into the yellow van now.
9. Connect the blue tractor to the trailer and turn it around facing uphill. Park it on the ground close to the yellow cooler so it is in shade all day.

Yesterday:
a. Jason and I dug about 500 lbs of potatoes. We stillhave two rows yet to dig. They have to be sorted: cherry, egg and big.
b. small flower arrangements were made by Phyllis
c..Lots of tomato sales yesterday... interesting: most people opt for already picked rather than pyo ;they would save $10 on each 20 lb box.
d. A large sale of flowers for a wedding : the flowers were picked by the aunt of the groom. The aunt is a flower grower from South bend with roots in Amherst.
e. drip tape was removed and the newly seeded row 15 was hoed by Barbara Van. This row contains flat green beans, and cilantro. It is doing well
the beans might not be in time for an early frost but the cilantro won't mind.
f. new 22" wide net bags should arrive today for firewood and potatoes.

IMG_6701.JPG Now we have two of these: Now to sort them,clean them and keep them cool and dark

IMG_6700.JPG I didn't know I would be picking these up till naptime. This is what the mechanical digger leaves.

Weather forecast from Chicopee for Amherst : can they really know our weather when they are in Chicopee ? Not my question , I'm happy to have it.

News Headlines
Map Of Storm Damage Reports For The Past 36 Hours
Current conditions at
Chicopee Falls / Westover Air Force Base (KCEF)
Lat: 42.2°NLon: 72.53°WElev: 246ft.

A Few Clouds

67°F

19°C

Humidity 96%
Wind Speed E 3 mph
Barometer 29.82 in (1010.0 mb)
Dewpoint 66°F (19°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 4 Sep 7:55 am EDT
More Information:

Local Forecast Office
More Local Wx
3 Day History
Hourly Weather Forecast

Extended Forecast for
Amherst MA
Today

Today: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

High: 82 °F

Patchy Fog
then Sunny

Tonight

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Low: 57 °F

Mostly Clear

Saturday

Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 78. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

High: 78 °F

Sunny then
Chance
Showers

Saturday Night

Saturday Night: A chance of showers between 9pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Low: 54 °F

Chance
Showers

Sunday

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

High: 73 °F

Mostly Sunny

Sunday Night

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.

Low: 51 °F

Mostly Clear

Labor Day

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon.

High: 77 °F

Sunny

Monday Night

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.

Low: 54 °F

Partly Cloudy

Tuesday

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.

High: 77 °F

Mostly Sunny

Detailed Forecast
TodayPatchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
TonightMostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind 3 to 5 mph.
SaturdayA chance of showers, mainly after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 78. North wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

--

Now 828

Bill Gillen
Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

09/03/2026

Doing Today

1. harvest potatoes in the chestnut field. After they have been mechanically dug we have to pick them up, don't let them sit in the sun in the field. more than an hour or two.
Yesterday we filled 4 lugs.
2. Before harvesting it would be best to mow those rows. first.
3. Roll up the w**d fabric on row 7 using the white plastic pipe to get the roll started. Roll it up till you reach the sugar pumpkins. Stop there and we will continue in a couple of weeks afteer the pumpkins are orange.
4. hoe the recently seeded cilantro at approx row 15. in front of the yellow cooler. Also wind up the drip tape that is in the row. That will make hoeing easier. When doing hoeing at this stage , keep the hoe blade almost parallel to the ground. Just deep enough to slide under the still baby w**ds.
5. remove vines from rows 23,24,25 . Wind up the surface drip tapes. Pick up steel staples that held the tape down. Pick up any staples you see holding down the fabric. We will save these.
6 . Tell your friends that we have san marzano plum tomatoes in row 54. They are long and pointy. They are the best for sauce but are not grown commercially since they are an "indeterminate plant that won't stop growing and bearing till frost. Commercial farms like determinate vines that are picked only once or twice. . They die before reaching even 4' high. Our "mariana" determinate tomatoes in row 53 are a commercial favorite in the valley and will exceed our high trelleses.
7. Power wash the lug of carrots I dug yesterday. They are under cover in the gray cooler. Leave the fresh green tops on . Repack them in a geometical and beautiful pattern as generous bunches.
(Everything we are displaying should be " generous" and beautiful. This means that no msarketing display here or at the market look should like it has been picked over ).

Done yesterday

a. About 200 lbs of potatoes were harvested , they are stacked in lugs next to the washing station and covered from daylight with a towel .. waiting to be washed and graded.
b. row 7 was cleared so it can be rolled up.
c. The loaded trailer was disconnected from the vt farmall: We will use the blue 8N tractor to pull it to market on Saturday: it has headlights.
d. The greenhouse is now ready for more table moving , the w**d vines that grew inside and outside the greenhouse have been dumped in the compost pile. It take two to do it.
e. Phyllis upgraded the yellow cooler and made some net bags of potatoes - one of which was sold yesterday.
f. About 4 boxes of tomatoes were picked for those who grab and go.. $40 a box is we pick, $30 if you do.

IMG_6699.JPG We have a lot of potatoes now
IMG_6701.JPG I was wrong five boxes were dug and picked up yesterday

The weather for Amherst but the data comes from Chicopee .. Phyllis says that's not our weather , that is the other side of the mountains. Whose predictions would be more local? Remember Ives?
( I don't watch the weather on tv )

Chicopee Falls / Westover Air Force Base (KCEF)
Lat: 42.2°NLon: 72.53°WElev: 246ft.

Fog/Mist

64°F

18°C

Humidity 95%
Wind Speed Calm
Barometer 29.95 in (1014.5 mb)
Dewpoint 62°F (17°C)
Visibility 1.25 mi
Last update 3 Sep 7:55 am EDT
More Information:

Local Forecast Office
More Local Wx
3 Day History
Hourly Weather Forecast

Extended Forecast for
Amherst MA
Today

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

High: 82 °F

Chance
T-storms and
Patchy Fog
then Chance
Showers

Tonight

Tonight: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind.

Low: 61 °F

Mostly Clear
then Patchy
Fog

Friday

Friday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

High: 83 °F

Patchy Fog
then Mostly
Sunny

Friday Night

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 58. Light northwest wind.

Low: 58 °F

Decreasing
Clouds

Saturday

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

High: 76 °F

Sunny then
Chance
Showers

Saturday Night

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Low: 53 °F

Chance
Showers then
Partly Cloudy

Sunday

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 7 mph.

High: 74 °F

Sunny

Sunday Night

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.

Low: 51 °F

Mostly Clear

Labor Day

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

High: 78 °F

Sunny

Detailed Forecast
TodayA chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 7 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
TonightPatchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind.
FridayPatchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Friday NightMostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 58. Light northwest wind.
SaturdayA chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

--

Bill Gillen
Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

09/02/2026

Today items

1. Move the benches in the greenhouse ( takes 2 people) back against the East wall . Move the other benches ,as needed , to finish cleaning the greenhouse..Removing the w**ds at the walls was done yesterday by Barbara V and Bill

2. Sharon added N to 1/2 the okra row yesterday and will complete it on Friday

3. Move the wood pallet next to the greenhouse to a new burn pile in the Chestnut field also get the one leaning against the fence at the north end of row 50.

4. Pick up all the acorn squash in row 7 .

5. clean off then roll up the w**d fabric where the cukes had been in row 7. Pull out the drip tape too.

6. using the hedge clipper,continue to prune back the w**ds along the metal fence between the Nolans and the swimming pool field. (it has grown in about 2')

7. I hope to harvest all the potatoes today with Jason's help. Then we all have to pick them up. As soon as the potatoes are brought to the shed area , Sort them: remove all damaged or ugly ones. separate all those egg size and smaller. The rest can be stored in the gray cooler ( not on the floor as the mice eat them)

8. Remind me to refresh the mouse traps in the coolers.

9. pick a load of yellow watermelons for the farmstand .

enough already

Yesterday:
a. Sugar pumpkins were picked and are now in lug at the farmstand. The small ones are $3 the big ones are $4.
b. Sharon spread some N under the okra
c. In the morning rain Barbara and I cleaned the greenhouse so Connie can start making wreaths (dried flowers and arborvitae).
d. over $100 in plum tomato sales ... and I thought it was raining all day ... did people pick in the rain?
e. phyllis bagged more loose lettuce for our yellow cooler (stand) I guess we are benefitting from seeding in August ( we sprouted lettuce seedlings in our air condition basment( sat my house) because AI advised that they won't germinate in August heat. That worked and then the
lettuce in the stores might make you sick..
f. a golf cart is mired in row 2 ..not to worry. mud happens. ( not on a gold course of course)
g. dare I note that the deer. bean beetles. potato beetles have either been missing or minimal this year? I will ask He who is in charge ( AI)
what that implies for next year. Truly surprising this year and no idea why.

Current conditions at
Chicopee Falls / Westover Air Force Base (KCEF)
Lat: 42.2°NLon: 72.53°WElev: 246ft.

Overcast

63°F

17°C

Humidity 87%
Wind Speed Calm
Barometer 30.13 in (1020.6 mb)
Dewpoint 59°F (15°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 2 Sep 7:55 am EDT
More Information:

Local Forecast Office
More Local Wx
3 Day History
Hourly Weather Forecast

Extended Forecast for
Amherst MA
Today

Today: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.

High: 75 °F

Patchy Fog
then Mostly
Cloudy

Tonight

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Low: 60 °F

Slight Chance
T-storms then
Showers

Thursday

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

High: 80 °F

Showers
Likely and
Patchy Fog

Thursday Night

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Low: 62 °F

Showers
Likely then
Partly Cloudy

Friday

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light northwest wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

High: 81 °F

Sunny

Friday Night

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Low: 56 °F

Mostly Clear

Saturday

Saturday: A chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

High: 76 °F

Sunny then
Chance
Showers

Saturday Night

Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Low: 53 °F

Chance
Showers then
Partly Cloudy

Sunday

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 6 to 8 mph.

High: 75 °F

Sunny

Detailed Forecast
TodayPatchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
TonightA chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
ThursdayShowers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday NightShowers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
FridaySunny, with a high near 81. Light northwest wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
SaturdayA chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

--

Now 835 am

Bill Gillen
Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

09/01/2026

Today (While Raining):

1. Move the benches away from the East wall of the greenhouse, remove the w**ds along the edge, and sweep the area clean to prepare for wreathmaking.
2. I ordered 100 red and 100 white 14" long net bags (heat-sealed at one end), which should arrive before Friday.
3. I also ordered 22" wide red net firewood bags with drawstrings. We can cut and split 20" logs, fill the bags, and stack them outside. We can also use the trailer to bring some to the market.

When the Rain Stops:
4. Roll up the w**d fabric at row 7 using the white plastic pipe from the walk-through shed. Once done, remove the pipe so it can be used to roll up row 24 (squashes).
5. Dig the potatoes when Jason is available to drive, and we will pick them up.
6. Move the three full boxes of plum tomatoes back to the stand. I moved them to the Phyllis shed due to the forecast.
7. Fertilize the okra as described yesterday.
8. Regarding the sprawling Brussels sprouts: next year, we should add tomato stakes and "weave the row" like Shuguang did with the tomato rows.

Notes:
- Farm Stand Display: Phyllis mentioned that the farm stand performs better when we use quart and pint boxes or bags for displays.
- AI & Data Question: Does anyone know if we can send photos of our crops, these reports, and Graham Cadwell's line drawing of our 9N tractor to various AI platforms to get comments, suggestions, and comparisons?
- I've ordered a new coverall from carhart..all but one of my 2026 outfits had plastic zippers that failed ( I lost weight .. so I don't blame my stomach..) and weirdly the summer weight coveralls had very light wt therefore ,soon holey pockets, my wallet, keys or phone fell right down and hit my foot. ... absolutly nono. I am trying out a Carhart and will let you know
IMG_6697.JPG modern deere set up to pull our 100 year old potato digger. Jason set it up and gave me a list of warnings..
IMG_6695.JPG Yesterday you saw our sugar pumpkins , these are 2' diameter "connecticut field " varietyin row 47 Too heavy to lift. This is the first time I have grown toys.

Amherst MA
Today

Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 1pm. High near 72. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

High: 72 °F

Heavy Rain
and Patchy
Fog

Tonight

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Low: 59 °F

Chance
Showers and
Patchy Fog

Wednesday

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

High: 73 °F

Slight Chance
Showers and
Patchy Fog
then Mostly
Cloudy

Wednesday Night

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog after 1am. Low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Low: 62 °F

Chance
Showers then
Showers and
Patchy Fog

Thursday

Thursday: Showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

High: 81 °F

Showers and
Patchy Fog

Thursday Night

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Low: 62 °F

Showers
Likely then
Partly Cloudy

Friday

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light northwest wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.

High: 81 °F

Sunny

Friday Night

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.

Low: 58 °F

Mostly Clear

Saturday

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

High: 76 °F

Mostly Sunny

Detailed Forecast
TodayShowers and possibly a thunderstorm before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 1pm. High near 72. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
TonightA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
WednesdayA slight chance of showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday NightShowers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog after 1am. Low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
ThursdayShowers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday NightShowers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
FridaySunny, with a high near 81. Light northwest wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

now 828 I didn't hurry
Bill Gillen

Sunset Farm : 20 Brigham Lane , Amherst , Ma 01002
413-374-5193 bill's cell

Sunset Farm

09/07/2026

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