Roadside Mowing
Roadside mowing is done each year from June through September to help manage weeds along County roads. Because focus area change each year, mowing crews start in different parts of the County.
Weather, road conditions, and other factors make it impossible determine the exact dates mowers will reach specific areas. Sometimes one area may be first, and other times it may be last.
Program Purpose and Approach
The purpose of roadside mowing is to control weeds along County roads. It is not intended for safety, appearance, or fire prevention. Parkland County mows once per year, covering the area from the road shoulder to the property line.
- In focus areas, most roadsides receive a full herbicide application.
- Outside of focus areas, weeds are treated only where they are found (spot treatment).
- Herbicide may be applied while mowing.
Some roads are mowed first because higher traffic increases the risk of weed spread. As a result, mowing order varies based on weed management priorities.
A map of Parkland County's 2026 weed control focus areas is available on our Weeds page.
Resident Mowing and No Spray Program
If you mow the ditch beside your property, Parkland County crews will not mow that section, as there is no vegetation left to cut. Residents can take part in the County’s No Spray program, which allows eligible landowners to request that herbicides not be applied in the roadside adjacent to their property.
Sweet Clover
You may notice tall plants with white or yellow flowers along roadsides. These are sweet clover, a plant originally brought to Canada for agricultural use many years ago. It now grows across Parkland County. Sweet clover is not a noxious weed in Alberta, but it spreads very quickly. In its second year, sweet clover can grow very tall and produce a large number of seeds, which can stay in the soil for many years.
Large patches can:
- Block sight lines at intersections
- Attract wildlife closer to roads
- Push out native plants
The County does not specifically target sweet clover. However, our general roadside weed management program may provide some control. Because sweet clover is common across the County, mowing schedules cannot be changed for individual requests.
Municipal and Environmental Reserves
Municipal and Environmental Reserves are not included in the regular roadside mowing program. Weed control in these areas may be done in focus areas or when a concern is reported, if staff and resources are available.
Signs and Roadside Operations
Please remove any unauthorized signs or debris from roadsides. These items can slow down mowing work and reduce the effectiveness of the program.
