"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 19/11/2012 21:23, shazzbat wrote:
"Dave wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:51:23 -0000, Wally wrote:

I have just swept my chimney and have a rather large bag of soot.

Soot from burning coal or wood?

Coal soot is likely to have quite high concentrations of heavy metals so
I'd be wary of using it on the veg patch.

Other than that others may have better knowledge, it's mostly carbon so
not exactly a plant nutrient but may help condition the soil.


The idea of soot being good for the garden was an invention by chimney
sweeps to solve their disposal problem.

Steve





I'm not so sure. When I was little, there was always a heap of soot down
at the allotments where my father's plots were. I know my father used it
knowledgeably, as did other plot holders. I can't remember whether it was
to help blanch celery, or to deal with fungal diseases, or something else.
It was certainly valued. I wish he were still alive to ask.

My grandfather always dug soot in. He grew great vegetables.