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It's Back To School Time!


Can you believe that the start of school is just around the corner for kids in Kentucky and Tennessee? Pretty soon, you'll be seeing kids with their backpacks getting on those big yellow buses in the mornings.

Here's a list of the first day of school for counties in Central Kentucky, Louisville and Knoxville.

Central Kentucky
 
Fayette County: Wednesday, August 13th

Madison County: Wednesday, August 13th

Scott County:
Wednesday, August 6th

Woodford County: Wednesday, August 13th

Louisville

Jefferson County: Wednesday, August 13th

Oldham County:
Tuesday, August 19th

Knoxville

Knox County: Monday, August 11th

Loudon County: Wednesday, August 6th

Watering Your Lawn: The Do's and Don'ts

Summer is in full swing! We've had some pretty toasty days in our area over the past few weeks and as the dog days of summer approach, it's only going to get hotter and humid. As the temperatures rise, so does the need to keep your lawn well watered. But, instead of just sticking a sprinkler in the middle of your yard and hoping for the best, here's some tips on the right way to water your lawn.



1. Water Your Grass Only When It Needs It

If you don't water your lawn correctly, you could run the risk of under or overwatering your lawn, which could contribute to the development of fungus and disease. Some types of grass require more water than others, and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind can dramatically affect how frequently you need to water your lawn. Fortunately, the most accurate way to determine whether your lawn needs water is also the easiest: just look at the grass:

·When grass needs water, it will begin to take on a blue-gray tint, and the older leaf blades on the plant will begin to curl up or wilt.
·Footprints will remain on the grass for longer than usual, as the grass won't "bounce back."
When 30 to 50% of your lawn shows these symptoms, it's time to water.

2. Know When To Water

The time of day that you water is just as important as how much you water. Early in the morning is the ideal time to water for most lawns. There's less wind, less hot sun, and your lawn has a full day to dry. Watering at night invites mildew and fungus. In the hot afternoon, much of your water can be lost to wind and evaporation.

3. Water Evenly

Sprinklers are finicky. They don't always put water down equally. To make sure water is going where it's supposed to, place a few empty soup cans around your lawn, and run your sprinkler for about 20 minutes. If water collects evenly in the cans, you know your sprinkler is doing its job.

4. How Long Is Long Enough?

Your lawn needs about 1-2 inches of water per week. Each time you water, you should aim for the water to absorb about 6 inches into the dirt to make sure that the roots of the grass are well hydrated. How long that will take depends on the slope of your yard, weather conditions, and various other factors. The best way to tell is to water your lawn for about 20-30 minutes. After that time, turn off the water and stick an 8-inch screwdriver into the ground. If it goes in easily, you're done. If not, you need to water some more.

5. Know When to Stop Watering

You can water carefully and properly, but if the water isn't absorbed, your efforts are wasted.  Watch out for water running off the grass and into your driveway or street. If that happens, turn off the sprinklers and let your lawn absorb the water for about 20-30 minutes before turning back on again. And this goes without saying, but aim your sprinklers to water just the lawn. That's the part that needs the moisture—not the sidewalk or street! Slight adjustments to your sprinklers can save a lot of water. Ideally, you shouldn't water your sidewalk, patio, street, or driveway at all.

Happy July 4th!

Everyone here at Ball Homes wishes you and your family a happy and safe July 4th holiday!


Our offices and model homes in Lexington and Knoxville will be closed on Friday, July 4th for the holiday. They will resume normal business hours through the weekend, with the exception of the Hampson Place model in Knoxville, which will be closed through the weekend.

Easy July 4th Treat Ideas

Can you believe that the July 4th holiday is already upon us? As we celebrate our nation's birthday this week, many people will be getting together with friends and family to grill out and watch the fireworks. Bring these easy and festive treats to your next gathering.

Spangled Sandwich Pops


Photo Source

These patriotic pops from Spoonful are a great way to show off the red, white, and blue, without having to do a bunch of cooking or baking. For smaller kids, you can even cut the sandwich in half.

4th of July Rice Krispie Treats


Photo Source

Who doesn't like rice krispie treats? Make the classic treat a little more patriotic with this recipe from Two Sisters Crafting.

Watermelon Stars


It can't get much easier than this sweet idea from I Heart Nap Time! All you need is watermelon slices and a star shaped cookie cutter.


Cut-and-Bake Flag Cookies


Stars and Stripes have never looked so tasty! Use different color sprinkles to make this treat from Pillsbury.

Do you have any other holiday treats you'll be making this weekend? Share them with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

How To Throw a Housewarming Party in Your New Ball Home

You've just moved into your new Ball Home--congratulations! Now's the time to show it off to your friends and family by throwing a fantastic housewarming party. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your event is enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Come One, Come All

If you're having a party, you've got to make sure people know about it. You can find unique invitiations on Pinterest or Etsy. If you're the creative type, try your hand at making your own.


Let Them Eat Cake

No party is complete without refreshments. Make sure you have enough food and drinks at your soiree. To keep costs down, consider grilling out hotdogs, kabobs, or chicken, and make side dishes for people to graze on during the party.

Take a Tour

The whole point of having a housewarming party is to show off your new digs! Give your guests a tour of your new abode. Try to split up the tours between you and your spouse or significant other, that way, you'll both be able to enjoy the party, and keep people from wandering around by themselves.

Dress It Up

If you're having people at your house, dress up the outside with planters on your front porch, or string lights across your patio. Another thing to keep in mind is annoying backyard pests, like mosquitos. If they're a problem in your backyard, keep citronella candles burning, or consider having bug spray handy for your guests.

Be A Good Neighbor

If you're brand new to your subdivision, this party might be one of your first introductions to your neighbors. Start your relationship off on the right foot by letting your neighbors know you're having a party. You may even consider extending a neighborly invitation and invite them to your party to get to know them better. If you aren't considerate, you run the risk of initiating bad feelings between you and your neighbors.

Do you have any other tips for the perfect party? Let us know on our Facebook page!