Fort Myers Beach • Lee County
Sod Installation in Fort Myers Beach, FL
A lawn on Fort Myers Beach has to deal with salt and with some of the tightest fertilizer rules in the area. For grass type, UF/IFAS rates St. Augustinegrass as having good salt tolerance and bahiagrass as very poor, which rules bahia out for most island lots. Seashore paspalum handles salt best, but UF/IFAS does not recommend it for home lawns because of the upkeep. The Town's fertilizer ordinance bans fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 through September 30, keeps fertilizer 15 feet from water bodies and wetlands, and bars fertilizing during a flood, tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning. That means new sod laid in summer has to root in without a feeding. Hodges removes the old turf, levels the sand so water drains away from the house, and lays the new sod tight. Plan for the irrigation side too: new lawns usually get extra watering for a limited time under the district's rules.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Fort Myers Beach
Laguna Shores
Hibiscus Drive area
Bay Beach
Plants and materials that suit it in Fort Myers Beach
Questions
Can I fertilize new sod in July?
No. The Town prohibits fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 through September 30. Sod installed then roots in on water alone. Outside that window, the Town limits each application to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Which grass holds up to salt on the island?
St. Augustinegrass is the usual choice, and Floratam is its most familiar cultivar; UF/IFAS rates the species as having good salt tolerance. Zoysia is another option. Bahiagrass handles salt very poorly. Seashore paspalum tolerates salt best but needs more maintenance than most homeowners want.
How close to my canal can fertilizer go?
Not within 15 feet of any canal, lake, pond, wetland or other water body, under the Town's ordinance. Fertilizer also cannot be put on driveways, streets or sidewalks, and the Town tells applicators to use a spreader deflector to keep granules off hard surfaces and out of the water.