Soot

I have been given several large bags of soot from our local sweep, I am not sure how to use it i.e should I let it stand or is it OK to spread it right away? Also, how thick should I spread it as I have heard it can harm the soil,is this correct?
Any advice on this would be most welcome.

Spana your absolutely rite in what your saying my Dad was a part time chimney weep after his day job he would put the bag of  brushes on the bike and set off down the village in those days most people had coal fires and would use the soot on the lottie or back garden 

but any soot he brought back would be stored for 12 months i still have a small drum full it must be twenty years old i use it sparingly as i can't get any soot now the old gardeners used to swear by it its interesting to read about the boys soot spreading i would imagine that was a dirty old job not one i would keen on doing i never thought about using soot on my brussel patch good idea Spana i need to try that next year

Thanks for your responses.
However, when you spread it how thick should it be? I appreciate advice re keeping it for 12 months but are there specific root plants that benefit more than others? do some not like it and presumably it should not be spread where you intend to plant seeds!!

Thanks

not wishing to put a dampener on the soot issue -  its fround on these days as this residue will be high in carcinogens and should not be used in vegetable production. Plonk it on your roses (helps to control blackspot) by all means - using it on the plot is a no no IMHO....

thanks for that info cooperman so roses it is