The Abbotsford School District is conducting an experiment around eliminating the use of pesticides on school grounds.

Three schools' grounds will go on a pesticide-free trial for a year until January 2014. The grounds at McMillan Elementary, Rick Hansen Secondary and Abbotsford Middle have been thoroughly weeded and had black-berries cut back along fence lines.

Other than cutting the grass on playing fields, the three test sites will be left alone to gauge the resulting growth of weeds and blackberries, and the school grounds appearances. The district is also cutting back pesticide use at all other locations, including totally eliminating the use of Caseron, and a 50 per cent reduction in use of Round-Up.

The district's facilities department will maintain the current practice of not spraying anything in play areas or on fields.