Garden Calendar – July Checklist

With warm evenings, extended daylight hours and consistently high temperature, your July garden is thriving and you are likely enjoying fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other bounty. The challenges you face now are keeping plants watered deeply and free of pests or disease. See our ideas below to help ensure your garden is staying lush and healthy even amid the summer’s hottest days.

Planning. Summer getaways are common, so while you are traveling plan to have someone tend to the basics of your garden, like watering. Reward those willing to spend time nurturing your garden with whatever they harvest. 

NOTE: It’s hard to believe, but now is the time to start thinking about planning and planting for fall crops. Also, don’t forget about fall flowering plants for those pollinators we want to stick around. 

Water. Deeply water vegetable gardens as needed. A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water as evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulching plants will help to reduce water losses and improve harvest yields. July heat can be brutal, some container plants or hanging baskets may need to be watered multiple times a day to keep them thriving. 

Nutrients. Flowering and fruiting require a lot of energy so give plants an additional boost of organic fertilizer once flowering begins. You can fertilize one more time before the end of the season. 

Plant. There is still time to plant heat loving field peas and lima beans. Towards the end of the month, sow seeds outside for beans, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, beets, kale, pumpkin, and squash. 

Pick Your Perfect Backyard. If you are ready to get your hands dirty. McAdams Homes offers specially curated communities in the Wilmington area, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey and get to planting.

NC Folktales and Mysteries: The Maco Light

North Carolina has a rich tradition of folklore, and it encompasses a variety of magical legends and unexplained natural phenomena – and today we’ll explore one just west of Wilmington. The Maco Light is a true North Carolina legend.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Joe Baldwin was a conductor who is said to have been decapitated in a collision between a runaway passenger car and a locomotive one night in 1867. Joe was alone in the last car when he realized his car had come uncoupled from the rest of the train. Knowing there was another train due, he ran to the back platform and franticly waved his lantern to warn the oncoming train. The engineer did not see the signal from the stranded car and Baldwin was decapitated in the accident. His head was never found, so Joe is doomed to swing his lantern forever, and search the tracks for his lost head.

It was said that after the collision railroad workers reported a pair of Maco lights that would appear together. Over the years, the Maco Light has been bright enough to fool many railroad workers into stopping their trains. To remedy the ghost’s schedule-thwarting attempts, signalmen at Maco used two lights, one red, and one green. 

This tale has been passed from generation to generation and the apparition has been witnessed by scores of locals and even once by President Grover Cleveland, whose train was wooding and watering up at Maco in 1889. The president saw the two signal lights, asked about them, and got the full story of Joe Baldwin.

If you are feeling adventurous, the location of the accident is more difficult to find since the tracks have been removed, but the gravel rail bed and pilings remain at the spot of the old trestle. Say this ballad, and see if any light appears, 

“They found Joe’s body,
They found Joe’s head!
They buried ’em both,
But he’s not dead!
On a dismal night in a dismal swamp,
You can see his lantern shine!”

If you are ready to come discover our beautiful area and experience this exciting phenomenon for yourself, we invite you to see our specially curated communities in the Wilmington Area of North Carolina, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey.

Montessori Schools in the Cape Fear

Whether you are first time buyers or are looking for a little more room for your growing family, McAdams Homes offers thoughtfully designed floor plans and specially curated communities to fit all your family’s needs. Our communities are minutes away from everyday conveniences like shopping and dining, medical care, and entertainment. The Cape Fear region also offers great educational opportunities – here we’ll look at the Montessori schools in our area.  

You might be asking, what is a Montessori school? And what is the difference between them and a normal school? At the core of the Montessori Method of education is the belief that a child who is fully engaged learns instinctively and effortlessly. The Montessori environment allows the child to act independently and to be a participant in their own education. When the child is allowed to make choices and see the results of these, their self-esteem and confidence are built creating a more self-reliant, happy, and independent child.  

Dr. Montessori believed that a child’s full potential – physical, intellectual, and emotional – can be reached only if the child is given the opportunity to develop through the exploration of the environment. Rather than “teaching” concepts, the environment is designed to stimulate the child’s interests and learning capacities spontaneously. The learning process is experiential and investigative. Lessons are constructed to appeal to a child’s unique abilities and enthusiasms. In addition, special emphasis is placed on puzzles and problem-solving to help children build critical thinking skills. Dr. Montessori recognized that there are many ways of learning and information sharing – therefore Montessori classrooms offer a wide variety of activities and materials.

Learn more about the Montessori schools in the area by clicking on the links below. 

Peace Rose Montessori – Wilmington.

Island Montessori School – Wilmington. 

The Children’s Schoolhouse Montessori School – Wilmington.

Topsail Montessori – Hampstead. 

If you are looking for a home that works perfectly for your lifestyle, contact us today. Stay up to date on the latest happenings by tuning into our Facebook page!

NOW LEASING – The Landing at Lewis Creek

If you missed out on the opportunity to live in The Landing at Lewis Creek, an amazing coastal community…don’t let the chance pass you by again! McAdams Homes is happy to announce that we will be leasing 17 new construction homes within this desirable neighborhood. 

The Landing at Lewis Creek is an established community off Gordon Road in Wilmington, NC and we are pleased to offer a limited enclave of single-family homes for lease. These spacious family-friendly and roommate-friendly floorplans start at 1,792 square feet, with plans featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 – 2.5 bathrooms, and front-load garages, not to mention they are conveniently located near Interstate 40, I-140 and Martin Luther King Parkway, just minutes away from shopping, dining, Historic Downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and everyday conveniences.

The benefits of new home construction mean you will enjoy these modern design features:

  • Open Concept Floorplans
  • Chef’s Kitchen Opening to Living Area
  • Solid Stone Counters, Stainless Steel Appliances and Garbage Disposal
  • Washer and Dryer
  • 9’ Ceilings
  • Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Downstairs, in Hallways, Laundry and Bathrooms 
  • Carpeting in Bedrooms
  • Black Hardware and Moen Plumbing Fixtures
  • Landscaping Maintenance Included in Monthly Rental 
  • Fenced-in Backyards
  • Pet Friendly Homes
  • Enjoy a Lock and Leave Lifestyle

One-year leasing opportunities are limited in this popular community with monthly leasing starting at $2,395. Click for information on the available floor plans: Jackson and Lakeside. Direct inquiries to 910-900-7767, you can email manager@upswilmington.com or fill out the contact form here. 

If you are looking for a home that works perfectly for your lifestyle, contact us today. To find the perfect home and to start making lasting family memories, click here for current incentives and explore our specially curated communities in the Wilmington Area of North Carolina. 

NC Folktales and Mysteries: Seneca Guns

North Carolina has a rich tradition of folklore, and it encompasses a variety of magical legends and unexplained natural phenomena – from fairies and Bigfoot in the mountains to mermaids in the Cape Fear and mysterious booms heard off the coast. We can’t be sure if anyone knows the real story behind these strange events, but we do know that these tales date back for generations and have played an important role in our state’s culture. 

In this series, we want to share with you our favorite folktales and even pique your interest enough to dive more into the historical mysteries that continue to perplex us today.

For over 150 years, coastal North Carolina residents have reported witnessing mysterious booming sounds that have been powerful enough to rattle windows and vibrate buildings. While this phenomenon is not unique to the Carolina coast, they are however most common along our shores. Referred to as the “Seneca Guns,” the name is thought to come from similar ominous sounds that had been heard for centuries at Lake Seneca in NY, as described in James Fenimore Cooper’s short story, “The Lake Gun.” 

Coastal North Carolina residents have several theories but spoiler alert, there is no definitive explanation for the booming noises. Ideas range from distant offshore storms, underwater earthquakes or shifting of plates, jets breaking the sound barrier or other military exercises, or even meteoric explosions. Some wilder theories claim supernatural reasons, like echoes of cannon fire from Civil War engagements. These fascinating and unnerving sounds for now remain a mystery. 

If you are ready to come discover our beautiful area and experience this exciting phenomenon for yourself, we invite you to see our specially curated communities in the Wilmington Area of North Carolina, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey.

Garden Calendar – June Checklist

With June bringing consistently warmer temperatures and the arrival of summer, new life is springing up everywhere. Outdoor planting is in full swing, and some plants are even reaching harvest time. Check out our June Garden checklist for things you can do in this month to help produce a rewarding lush landscape and bountiful harvest. 

Maintaining. Monitor for pests and note how certain varieties of plants have been successful and which didn’t perform. Keep your observations in you journal so you can refer to them next year. Weed the garden regularly to keep the task easy and manageable. Freshen up and add mulch or a plant cover like phlox to bare soil to prevent weeds. Phlox forms a lush low-growing carpet of stunning flowers that not only suppresses weeds, it also attracts pollinators, win win! 

NOTE: Garden flowers, whether annuals or perennials, benefit from “deadheading” after flowering. By removing the spent flower heads, energy is used to produce more flowers or foliage and roots. Many will produce another flush of blooms.

Water. After your vegetable garden is well established, it is best to water it thoroughly once a week rather than giving it a light watering every day. That way, a deeper root system is encouraged to develop, which will later help the plants tolerate dry weather. Control mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of stagnant water. Consider installing a bat house to encourage bat habitat, they eat mosquitoes!

Wildlife. Don’t forget about inviting birds to your backyard to help control insect populations and protect your plants. Fill up your birdfeeders, add a hummingbird feeder, fill birdbaths with clean water, and add a birdhouse to help provide a safe new home for nesting. Plant sunflower seeds for the birds to enjoy later summer. 

Plant. Wilmington is in USDA Zone 8, affording us a long growing season. June is a great time to Continue planting direct-seeded, warm season vegetable crops such as beans, summer squash, cucumbers, asparagus, rhubarb, field peas and warm weather herbs like basil, and wildflower seeds. 

Pick Your Perfect Backyard. If you are ready to get your hands dirty. McAdams Homes offers specially curated communities in the Wilmington area, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey and get to planting.

Farm Fresh Recipes

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh products locally grown in the Cape Fear area and offered up at some really great farmers’ markets. We invite you to visit the markets listed below where you can be inspired to try some farm fresh ingredients straight to your table. 

  • Riverfront Farmers Market – Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM (rain or shine) on Dock Street in Historic Downtown, between 2nd Street and Water Street – you’ll find locally grown – locally produced – locally made goods and products. Go to Facebook for their latest updates. Free entry. 
  • Wrightsville Beach Farmers’ Market – Mondays from 8AM to 1PM (May 16 – December 12, 2022) on the WB Municipal Grounds (adjacent to Town Hall), between Causeway Drive and Salisbury Street – you’ll find fresh, locally grown produce as well as other consumable vendors and a variety of crafters offering unique goods. Go to Facebook for their latest updates. Free entry. 
  • Wilmington Farmers Market – Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM, year-round, rain or shine at 5329 Oleander Drive (in front of Tidal Creek Co-op) – they “exist to provide the best local produce, meats, eggs, bread, mushrooms, seafood and other staple food items that the shoppers want, and to generate income for our farms and families.” Go to Facebook for their latest updates. Free entry. 

Now that you’ve got your produce, cheeses, etc. Check out these recipes to get you started enjoying all the bounty of the summer. 

There’s no better place to enjoy these delicious meals than in a McAdams Homes. To find the perfect home and to start making lasting family memories see our specially curated communities in the Wilmington Area of North Carolina, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey.

Child-Proofing Your Home

At McAdams Homes, our aim is to offer thoughtfully designed floor plans of the highest quality. We strive to meet excellence in every detail of your home and offer a product that will match the growing demands of your family. Whether you’re planning to welcome a new baby, or you already have one crawling around, a home that’s carefully child-proofed can go a long way towards your peace of mind. Below are some tips on how to get your house ready, and remember, follow your intuition – you’ve got this!

Whole House. 

  • Cover your electrical outlets – typically at a baby’s level, these are tempting danger with fingers or other objects.
  • Secure heavy furniture – mounting bookcases and dressers to the wall prevents the risk of tipping over. 
  • Install door knob covers – this will prevent little ones from going into “no zones” like the garage or laundry area. 
  • Utilize baby gates – place gates near stairs or wherever needed.
  • Corner guards – use soft corner cushions to prevent bumps and bruises from low furniture edges. 
  • Remove hazards – put away anything hazardous like indoor plants, breakables, batteries, cords, and fireplace tools, just to name a few. 
  • Install cabinet locks – keep dangerous liquids and cleaners locked and secure. 

Bathrooms. 

  • Water temperature – set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent burns.
  • Slippery when wet – use a non-slip mat in the bathtub or shower.
  • Install a toilet lock – not only will it keep toys from “swimming,” it’ll prevent your child from falling in. 
  • Cabinet locks – keep medicines, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, razors, tweezers, hair dryers, etc out of reach.

If you are looking for a home to meet the growing demands your family, contact us today. We build specially curated communities in the Wilmington, NC area, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. 

Summer Fun in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, NC offers year-round entertainment and attractions, but summertime is when this beautiful area really shines. Wilmington’s proximity to the coast makes it the perfect place for summer fun. Below are some area highlights to enjoy, whether the weather is cooperating or not. 

The Beach. An obvious choice, and with three island beaches in the area to choose from it’s easy to get your toes in the sand. 

Live Music. Dance the nights away with live music or concerts at one of the area’s many outdoor waterfront venues. Enjoy two live music venues on the beautiful Riverwalk of Historic Downtown Wilmington: Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park and Friday Night Live! on the Pier. Greenfield Lake Amphitheater is a magical venue offering an intimate show with a scenic backdrop. Or take in jazz on the grounds of the Bellamy Mansion Museum the second Thursday of each month May through September, on the lawn of the Bellamy at 6:30pm.

Indoors. Maybe you’ve had too much fun in the sun. Whether you’re looking to cool off indoors or get out of a pop-up shower, Wilmington has you covered. The Children’s Museum offers children the opportunity to discover, play, and get hands-on learning through engaging and informative exhibits and activities. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher lets you connect to the natural world, giving visitors a chance to explore marine life and various aquatic environments like salt marshes, tidal pools, and an open ocean exhibit. Although Jungle Rapids is known for its water activities and Go-Karts, they also have a large arcade with other indoor activities.

Learn where you can build your dream home in one of our specially curated communities in the Wilmington Area of North Carolina. Click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey.

Garden Calendar – May Checklist

May is here and gardens are coming alive, this is a thrilling and busy month for gardeners. Planting season is in full swing, seedlings are popping, blooms are flourishing, and some cool-season crops are ready for picking. Check out our May Garden checklist for things you can do in this month to get you one step closer to a bountiful garden and lush landscape. 

Planning. If you kept up with your garden to-do lists, you should have a good idea of what is coming up this growing season. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to start a garden journal. Walk around your neighborhood, parks, or a neighbor’s garden, take notes and photographs to help identify them at a garden center. 

Notice any pests presenting themselves in your garden and note any traps or companion plants pairings that you can use to help combat them. This is a good time to visit nurseries and garden centers brimming with plants and all the supplies you’ll need. Now is a great time to be getting fruit plants or summer bulbs.  

Weeding. Pesky weeds are starting to make their way into the garden, and with a keen eye pull them early so they are easier to eliminate. Adding a few inches of mulch to your garden will help keep other weeds from propagating. 

Plant. Fortunately, here in the Wilmington area we experience a mild temperate climate and are in USDA Zone 8, affording us a long growing season. May is a great time to plant beans, okra, pumpkin, sweet corn, and watermelon. Plant only partial rows of beans and sweet corn so that successive plantings can be done every week or two. Sweet corn should be planted in paired rows or blocks for good pollination.

Pick Your Perfect Backyard. If you are ready to get your hands dirty. McAdams Homes offers specially curated communities in the Wilmington area, click here for current incentives. Or if you own a preferred lot, you can choose from our portfolio of floor plans to personalize with numerous design options. Contact us today to get started on your new home journey and get to planting.