Several other similar discussions about this in the past couple of weeks so I know you'll get mixed answers. Personally I won't use it fresh near plants. Too many potential nitrogen issues. I stock pile for a year before adding it to the garden and in the process it gets very, very hot, even smokes. For paths and such, no problem IME but if it works down into the soil it will bind up any nitrogen it can get so monitor the plants near by.

Dave

Well, if you were in a fiercely hot part of the world, I would say layer it on ... on top. Less for weed suppression than water retention. Since it will mostly dry out fast, it won't even try to try to compost laying on top, and your nitrogen will be pretty secure. Then dig it in at the end of the season. But yes, otherwise, best to compost it first.