Estero • Lee County
Plant & Shrub Installation in Estero, FL
Estero adopted the South Florida Water Management District's year-round watering rule through Ordinance 2021-05, and it gives fresh plantings a 90-day establishment period with more watering days in the first month and fewer after that. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip lines are allowed outside the normal days. The Village's own advice is also worth knowing: it suggests skipping irrigation in summer when rainfall is usually enough. Put together, late spring is a practical time to plant, because the rainy season arrives as the establishment window runs. Hodges groups plants by water need so a bed of coontie and muhly grass is not on the same zone as thirsty annuals, and leans on natives such as firebush, Simpson's stopper and Fakahatchee grass. Beds near community lakes and preserves suit natives that need little fertilizer, in line with the Village's push to cut nutrient runoff.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Estero
Belle Lago
The Reserve of Estero
Estero Parc
Terra Vista
Plants and materials that suit it in Estero
Questions
How long can I water new plants on extra days in Estero?
Ordinance 2021-05 gives new landscaping a 90-day establishment period, with more allowed watering days during the first 30. Hand watering and drip are allowed any day. Confirm the current schedule with the Village before programming a timer.
When is the best time of year to plant?
Late spring into early summer works well because the rainy season helps new roots establish, and the Village suggests skipping irrigation in summer when rain is enough. Plants set in the dry months need closer attention to watering.
Which plants need the least fertilizer here?
Natives adapted to local soil, such as coontie, firebush, Simpson's stopper and Fakahatchee grass, typically need little or no fertilizer once established. That fits the Village's guidance on reducing nutrients that reach the Estero River and bay.