Severe drought is impacting nearly all of Lee County, causing grass to change from lush green to dry and brown. From Charlotte to Collier counties, dry weather ranges from moderate to severe. The National Weather Service reported that 2025 was the sixth driest year on record in Fort Myers, and the consequences have rolled into 2026.
However, despite its negative connotation, the county reminds residents that brown grass isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can be Florida-friendly by resulting in less fertilizer and water usage.
During a drought, water conservation is especially important; Lee County residents should be sure to Water Smart:
- Comply with the seasonal ordinance (February through May) and reduce at-home irrigation in unincorporated Lee County to one day per week.
- Limit irrigation to when the sun is down (dusk to dawn) to ensure maximum absorption.
- Water deeply and infrequently to make your grass drought-tolerant.
- Turn off garden hoses when not in use. Use an automatic shutoff nozzle.
Although fertilizer can be applied during this time of year with the right precautions that abide by Lee County’s year-round fertilizer ordinance, applying it to dormant turf during a severe drought can have a negative result…