rhubarb and soot

[pumkinlover]

We are having two chimneys swept today.
I always thought that as we do use solid fuel at times it would not be advisable to ask the sweep for the soot.       ( Goodness knows what chemicals are in it)

However I was listening to a radio programme and they said that the reason Rhubarb was originally grown in Yorkshire was because people used the soot from the chimney's as it likes sulphur.

One room will only be used with wood from now on so any thoughts on using the soot from that chimney in future?

[pumkinlover]

[saddad]

Molluscs don't like it... can be used as a barrier..  :-\

[Larkshall]

Soot was always used for onions in East Anglia, whether they liked the chemicals in it or benefited from the extra warmth absorbed from the sun is anybodies guess.

[woodypecks]

Hmm... ours also due for sweeping now after that dreadful winter !  I wonder if he,ll let me have the soot ?  How /where does he empty it and how do you store it ?        What do sweeps usualy do with all the soot they collect anyway ? Never thought about it before ..just wondering  !  :D

[pumkinlover]

Apparently the sweep takes the soot to his local allotment sites so I didn't ask for any this time.

Larkshall- maybe the onions like the sulphur too- could explain certain attributes of onions! ;)

[diggerrick]

i can rember my granparents saving soot for the garden, what they used it for im not sure! :)

[non-stick]

When we had our chimneys swept I asked the sweep for the soot and he advised against it - cant for the life of me remember why