Over an inch and a quarter in 45 minutes.

Looking out the front door at the hostas I planted about three weeks ago and all look fine. Will have to check the back beds in the morning. It's drizzling now. Guess I will be cutting the grass sometime this week.

Aw, Deb, I hope it won't be too bad for you :(. Fingers crossed!

We had one heck of a thunderstorm yesterday eve....but escaped the hail in our immediate area. Apparently some had hail the size of our Toonie ($2 coin)! Very strong winds though..two pots got toppled under the tree, but no damage at all. Heuchera leaves a bit splayed out but once they dry up, they will be fine.

Yesterday morning I laid down damp newsprint over the sod, then dumped triple mix on top in preparation for a garden bed for the fall. I am transplanting a couple of peonies and needed additional space for some hostas that can take more sun. During the storm some of the newsprint got uncovered, the soil got flattened but did not wash out of its boundary thankfully. Sopping wet...but I collected some rainwater, hooray!!!

Have a great family get-together next week-end regardless, Deb!

We has some very wicked weather, too. A lot of large branches down. Luckily no trees and no serious damage. No hail. Everything looks refreshed, but a little hammered down and flattened. Hopefully, it will all spring back. I hope everyone avoided any serious damage. I kept hearing reports of toonie-sized hail, but it missed us here in Keswick.

Thanks Jo. Fortunately the hail we got here was the size of a nickel, 45 minutes west of us...baseball size. Haven't had a chance to go outside yet but I think all will be ok. As soon as my guests leave I will be leveling two garden beds where gooseneck loosestrife and obedient plant have taken control. Both of these beds face south and are against a brick foundation so they get very hot. Trying to figure out how to change the microclimate of these beds to make them more hospitable for hostas without planting trees. I will be transplanting a peony to one of them, so I think that will be a good barrier for a hosta from the heat of the brick. What hostas have you chosen for your sunny location? I also will be planting hostas at the edge of current shady beds and use your method to expand the bed when needed. Glad your soil did not get washed away and rainwater...woot woot!!

Kes, usually after a storm like last night our front lawn is littered with dead branches from the birch. We had the tree pruned earlier this year and have had several high wind storms this year which left a lot of dead branches on the ground each time. Only half a dozen sticks on the lawn and beds this morning...unless they are all on the roof, lol!

Deb, woot, woot is right on! Lol I also have a sunny wall that receives sun until around 1:30-2:00...in front of it I also have a peony growing and the remnants of a purple sandcherry bush. Each provides a bit of a buffer for the rest of the plants. It has been a hosta bed for several years now. Too small an area for a tree.

The enlarged front section will likely contain my second Fire Island (which gets bleached out but does not scorch) , a Brother Stefan, a June for a start. Have to read up on requirements of a few others before I decide.

I've had both the Lysimachia Clethroides and Physostegia (white one) and both took over their area easily.... I provided great soil in which to thrive, lol. I sympathize, Deb...it's a lot of physical work to get rid of them. I thank my lucky stars I didn't have clay soil to contend with!

Shrubs can provide some shade. My hydrangea Paniculata are very drought tolerant. My sister has the variety Pinky Winky, which is V shaped, leaving room at the base for things like hosta. My Paul's Glory is in full sun, due to the removal of a tree. It does have a couple of burned leaves but is a very nice yellow color. To be honest though, I wouldn't have it in full sun if I had another spot to put it.

Jo, I also provided great soil for them and this is the thanks I get! LOL

Beverly, I want to plant an oakleaf hydrangea in a ten foot circle that is at the end of this 20 foot bed. It will get sun all day from south and west exposure. Not sure if that is the best choice or if I should consider something better suited for that exposure that will grow to about 8 ft. Or maybe a small tree that would provide shade as it grows but leave room at the base for hostas. Lots to think about.