Q: Our neighbor dumps used cooking fat in the vegetable garden we share. Is that a problem?
— Judy Weisbrod
Racine, Wis.
A: Dumping used cooking oil in household quantities — cups as opposed to barrels — shouldn’t be harmful, said Jerry Bigham, a soil scientist and emeritus professor with the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University. Soil is a good recycler of organic matter, cooking oil included, he said.
Nevertheless, your neighbor should be careful about dumping animal fats such as bacon grease or oil that’s been used to cook meat or fish. Those fats might smell or attract animal pests if they’re not buried.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
