Bokeelia Landscape Services

Contact Your Local Bokeelia Public Works or Solid Waste Department for Green Waste Info

Bokeelia is an unincorporated community in Lee County on the northern tip of Pine Island, so green waste services fall under Lee County Solid Waste Division oversight. Yard waste and vegetative debris are collected curbside on a regular weekly schedule; branches must be cut to four-foot lengths and bundled or placed in approved containers—no plastic bags permitted. Palm fronds, sea grape trimmings, and storm-damaged vegetation should be separated from household trash. Lee County operates the Lee County Solid Waste facility where residents can drop off brush and vegetative debris with proof of residency. After hurricanes or tropical storms, the county activates special vegetative debris collection routes. Commercial landscapers must use approved disposal facilities and may not dump clippings, fertilizer granules, or sediment into streets, swales, canals, storm drains, or Charlotte Harbor estuary waters under the Clean Water Act and local MS4 stormwater rules.

Lee County Solid Waste Division
1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-8000
Official Website: Lee County Solid Waste Division

Lawn Care Regulations & Permits in Bokeelia, FL

Lawn care professionals operating in Bokeelia must comply with Lee County's fertilizer ordinance (Ordinance 08-08), which imposes a rainy-season fertilizer blackout from June 1 through September 30, prohibiting nitrogen and phosphorus application to turf and landscape plants. Year-round, at least 50% of nitrogen must be in slow-release form, and a 10-foot fertilizer-free buffer zone is required along all water bodies, canals, and stormwater conveyances. Commercial fertilizer applicators must hold certification under Florida Statutes 482.1562 and follow the Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule for Home Lawn Fertilization. Pesticide use is governed by Florida Pesticide Law - Chapter 487, and commercial applicators must be licensed through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing. Irrigation follows South Florida Water Management District year-round two-day-per-week schedules, with mandatory rain sensor shutoff devices per Florida Statutes 403.9337. Lee County noise ordinances restrict power equipment operation before 7:00 AM and after 10:00 PM in residential areas. Commercial operators must maintain a Lee County business tax receipt, liability insurance, and vehicle/trailer compliance.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 617-7700
Official Website: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Licensing and Certification

South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Phone: (561) 686-8800
Official Website: South Florida Water Management District - Landscape Irrigation

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve in Bokeelia, FL?

Bokeelia's landscape varies from waterfront canal-front properties to interior island lots, each presenting distinct Gulf Coast lawn care challenges:

• Jug Creek Estates & Jug Creek Shoreline — Shell-influenced fill soils with high pH and direct tidal canal exposure. St. Augustinegrass dominates but faces salt burn and chinch bug pressure. Fertilizer setbacks from Jug Creek are critical.
• Bokeelia Island (Northern Pine Island Tip) — Exposed to Charlotte Harbor winds and storm surge. Sandy flatwoods soils with high water tables require careful drainage management. Seashore paspalum performs well in salt-prone lots.
• Coconut Drive & Mango Drive Corridor — Established residential lots with mature tropical canopy creating heavy shade. Shade-tolerant St. Augustinegrass cultivars like 'Palmetto' or 'CitraBlue' are essential. Fungal pressure from humidity is elevated.
• Stringfellow Road Corridor Properties — Mixed-age homes along the main Pine Island artery with sandy soils prone to nutrient leaching. Bahiagrass and St. Augustinegrass are common; irrigation calibration is vital given rapid drainage.
• Waterfront Canal-Front Homes (Charlotte Harbor Side) — Direct exposure to brackish water, king tides, and tropical storm surge. Zoysiagrass and seashore paspalum offer superior salt tolerance. HOA and deed restrictions may govern turf standards.
• Bayside Estates & Captiva Drive Area — Slightly elevated lots with shell-amended soils and moderate salt spray. St. Augustinegrass thrives with proper iron supplementation to address alkaline pH-induced chlorosis.
• Interior Pine Island Parcels (East of Stringfellow) — Flatwoods soils with seasonal standing water and organic pockets. Mole crickets and dollarweed are persistent. Drainage swale maintenance is essential for turf health.

Partnering With Bokeelia's Stormwater, Environmental, or Sustainability Office

As an unincorporated Lee County community, Bokeelia's stormwater management falls under Lee County Natural Resources and the county's MS4 permit compliance with the Florida DEP - NPDES Stormwater Program. Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, and Matlacha Pass are all Outstanding Florida Waters, making nutrient runoff prevention paramount. Lawn care practices must align with Florida DEP - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) requirements. Sustainable landscaping strategies include:

• Following Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program principles for right-plant-right-place selection
• Grasscycling to return nutrients naturally and reduce green waste volume
• Using micro-irrigation in landscape beds to minimize overspray into swales and canals
• Maintaining rain sensor shutoff devices on all irrigation systems
• Establishing native coastal buffer plantings along canal banks and shoreline lots
• Reducing phosphorus inputs where soil tests confirm adequate levels

Lee County Natural Resources
1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-8000
Official Website: Lee County Natural Resources

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-2118
Official Website: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Top Bokeelia Lawn Problems (and How We Solve Them)

Bokeelia's Gulf Coast island setting on Pine Island creates a specific pest, disease, and environmental stress profile:

• Chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass — The dominant warm-season pest in Southwest Florida. Proper mowing height (3.5–4 inches), avoiding excessive nitrogen, and monitoring for irregular yellowing patches are key per UF/IFAS Extension - Lawn Maintenance.
• Salt burn and wind desiccation — Charlotte Harbor and Gulf exposure causes foliar salt damage. Supplemental irrigation to flush salt from leaf tissue and selecting salt-tolerant cultivars or seashore paspalum mitigate injury.
• Large patch fungus (Rhizoctonia) — Thrives in Bokeelia's humid subtropical conditions, especially during cooler wet months. Avoid late-season nitrogen, improve air circulation, and apply fungicides only when culturally warranted per UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions - Lawns.
• Standing water and poor drainage — Flat island topography and high water tables cause waterlogged root zones. Core aeration, proper swale grading, and selecting flood-tolerant turf reduce stress.
• Nematodes in sandy soils — Sting and root-knot nematodes damage turf roots in Bokeelia's sandy and shell-fill soils. Maintaining organic matter through compost topdressing and selecting nematode-tolerant cultivars are recommended per Best Management Practices for Your Lawn.
• Mole crickets — Active in sandy soils from spring through fall. Soap-flush monitoring and properly timed biological or chemical controls reduce populations.
• Nutrient lockout in alkaline shell soils — Iron and manganese deficiency cause yellowing. Foliar micronutrient applications and soil acidification address chlorosis without excess nitrogen.

What Makes Lawns in Bokeelia Different From the Rest of Florida?

Bokeelia sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a on the northern tip of Pine Island in Lee County, firmly within the Gulf Coast/Southwest Florida region. Its lawns differ from other Florida regions in several critical ways:

• Charlotte Harbor estuary influence — Unlike inland Central Florida lake communities, Bokeelia properties face brackish tidal water, salt spray, and storm surge, demanding salt-tolerant turf selections and strict fertilizer setbacks to protect Outstanding Florida Waters
• Shell-influenced and sandy flatwoods soils — Soils are alkaline and shell-amended in many areas, unlike the deep acidic sands of Central Florida or the marl of South Miami-Dade, creating micronutrient deficiency challenges
• Year-round growing season with minimal dormancy — Unlike North Florida/Panhandle lawns that experience meaningful winter dormancy, Bokeelia turf grows nearly continuously, requiring 12-month maintenance planning
• Hurricane and tropical storm exposure — Pine Island's barrier geography makes it highly vulnerable to wind damage, salt-laden storm surge, and extended vegetative debris recovery periods
• Island community landscape patterns — Smaller lots, mature tropical canopy, canal-front setbacks, and seasonal residency patterns create unique mowing, irrigation, and fertilization scheduling demands compared to mainland suburban subdivisions

National Weather Service - Miami Forecast Office
11691 SW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33165
Phone: (305) 229-4522
Official Website: National Weather Service Offices

Supporting Local Events in Bokeelia With Lawn Expertise

Bokeelia's tight-knit island community hosts events and maintains public spaces that benefit from professional turf and landscape support:

• Captain's Lodge and Bokeelia Fishing Pier — Waterfront grounds maintenance supporting tourism and community gatherings
• Pine Island community festivals — Including the Mango Mania festival, Pine Island Seafood Festival, and seasonal farmers markets requiring grounds preparation
• Pine Island Elementary and local school grounds — Safe, well-maintained athletic and play areas
• Tropical storm and hurricane recovery — Coordinating vegetative debris removal with Lee County emergency management after storm events
• Community park and boat ramp areas — Maintaining turf and coastal buffer plantings at public access points
• Volunteer shoreline and canal cleanup events — Supporting habitat restoration and invasive species removal along Charlotte Harbor

Lee County Parks & Recreation
3410 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: (239) 533-7275
Official Website: Lee County Parks & Recreation

Eco-Friendly Landscaping Backed by Bokeelia's Florida-Friendly and Water-Saving Initiatives

Aligning with Lee County's environmental goals and Charlotte Harbor estuary protection, sustainable lawn care in Bokeelia emphasizes:

• Smart irrigation controllers and rain shutoff devices to comply with South Florida Water Management District two-day-per-week schedules
• Micro-irrigation for landscape beds to eliminate overspray into canals and swales
• Turf reduction in low-use areas replaced with native coastal plantings such as muhly grass, coontie, and sea oxeye daisy
• Compost topdressing to build organic matter in sandy and shell soils
• Integrated pest management reducing reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides
• Grasscycling to recycle nutrients and reduce green waste hauling
• Battery-powered mowers, trimmers, and blowers to lower emissions and noise
• Pollinator-friendly plantings using species listed through the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
• Route efficiency and reduced equipment idling to minimize carbon footprint

UF/IFAS Lee County Extension
3406 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: (239) 533-7513
Official Website: UF/IFAS Extension - Lawn Maintenance

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4
61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 562-9900
Official Website: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Proudly Serving These Streets and Areas in Bokeelia

Our service coverage spans the entirety of Bokeelia and northern Pine Island, organized by geographic area:

Northern Tip & Waterfront:

• Jug Creek Drive
• Coconut Drive
• Mango Drive
• Captiva Drive
• Charlotte Harbor shoreline properties
• Bokeelia Fishing Pier vicinity

Stringfellow Road Corridor (Main Artery):

• Stringfellow Road (north of Pineland)
• Oleander Drive
• Hibiscus Drive
• Tamarind Drive
• Royal Palm Drive

Interior & Eastern Pine Island:

• Gator Lane
• Flamingo Lane
• Pelican Drive
• Sandpiper Lane
• Properties east of Stringfellow Road toward Pine Island Sound

Canal-Front & Bayside Communities:

• Jug Creek Estates
• Bayside Estates
• Harbor Lane
• Waterfront canal-front lots along Charlotte Harbor
• Properties adjacent to Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Notable Landmarks & Public Spaces:

• Bokeelia Boat Ramp and Fishing Pier
• Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve (nearby)
• Calusa Heritage Trail area
• Pine Island Elementary School zone
• Randell Research Center vicinity

Lee County Development Services
1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-8585
Official Website: Lee County Development Services