the seedlings have now come up very quickly and I recognized them as a member of the "Malva" family, which includes Okra and Hollyhock flowers. I believe they are the plant called Malva Crispa or Malva Verticillata, known for use as greens, probably immature leaves are used.

Can anyone give me some details on culture and harvest of this plant? see link below for a photo of the leaf shape

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:388358}}

Malva verticillata var. crispa
common names: Curled Mallow, Marsh Mallow

Here is a link that might be useful: Culture