As the summer weather heats up, City crews continue to remove weeds from public right-of-ways. Weeds can be unsightly and often affect the overall appearance of the area. Weeds and dry grasses along roadsides also create a fire hazard in summer and fall, obstruct drainage ditches and storm drains, and can potentially limit driver visibility.
While summer weather can promote vegetation growth, it can also present challenges for weed control. Warm temperatures, increased sunlight, and sufficient rainfall can contribute to the rapid growth of weeds. Despite the City's efforts, weeds can continue to grow, especially in areas that receive adequate sunlight and moisture.
To effectively manage weed growth, the City employs strategies, such as regular mowing, cutting, manual weed removal, or a combination of these methods. The uncharacteristically long rainy season and coastal fog have required crews to revisit areas several times after they have been cleared due to the constant growth.
We encourage the community to use the City’s mobile app. MySantaRosa to report specific areas where weed growth is persistent in public right-of-ways. City crews are strategically addressing weeds in areas of highest safety concern first, then proceeding throughout the City.
Managing weeds can be an ongoing task, and complete eradication may not be possible. However, with consistent efforts and appropriate maintenance strategies, the City is working towards minimizing weed growth, maintaining the appearance, and removing possible threats from public right-of-ways.