I have raised beds for my veggie garden, and I love to companion plant. I've spent a great deal of time on the internet trying to figure out the best combinations. The problem you get with getting information on the net is you don't know how accurate it is, or you don't get all the pertinent information. This year I planted sunflowers in 3 out of 6 raised beds. Not knowing the damage I was doing I left the sunflowers to go to seed, because I enjoyed watching the birds. What I didn't know until reading a post on permies is that sunflowers have an allelopathic chemical that inhibits growth. This has been the worst year I have ever had with my garden, as far as production. I'm not saying it's the sunflowers fault because everyone I talk to is saying the same thing, so I think it was more a weather thing then the sunflowers.
It is time to ether chop and drop or remove the summer stuff, and plant the fall/winter plants. I see tons of sunflower seeds in the soil, so I'm asking for advise to remove or neutralize the allelopathic chemical, so my new seeds will germinate. I always refresh my soil with organic
compost and organic chicken manure, and what ever else I have that I think will help, but now I'm unsure.
My plan at this point is to remove the sunflower stalks. I think I will throw most of them in the garden pathways to help prevent weeds. Try to rake up as many seeds as I can and remove them. I will probably give them to the chickens. This is were I need the help. Is there something I should add to the soil in addition to what I normally do to help the soil repair itself. Should I only plant plants in these beds and put the seed in the others?
I would appreciate any and all wisdom with my dilemma, I don't mind learning the hard way, but after a crummy summer it would be nice to have a little winter success. Thank you for your time.