Sylvesta is a loose-leaf lettuce that reaches harvest in just 50 days, making it one of the quickest lettuces from seed to table. This variety thrives in full sun with moderate water and slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-7.0), adapting well to direct sowing for successive plantings throughout the season. Its compact spacing requirements of just 1 inch between plants and 16 inches between rows make it efficient for small gardens, containers, or intensive beds.
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Sylvesta's real strength is speed and succession. Sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests, and you'll have tender leaves ready in 50 days each time. The tight spacing allows you to pack more plants into less garden real estate, and its preference for full sun means it won't sulk in marginal light. Direct seed it as soon as soil is workable, and you've got fresh salad greens without the indoor seed-starting fuss.
Sylvesta is grown for fresh salad greens, with individual outer leaves harvested as needed to extend the harvest window. The tender leaves are best eaten raw in salads, where their delicate texture shines. Successive plantings mean you can have fresh lettuce throughout the growing season for everyday salads and light meals.
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your anticipated transplant date.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed 2-3 true leaves. Space thinned loose-leaf types 10-14 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds as soon as soil is workable. Use row cover to improve germination and prevent soil crusting.
Harvest individual leaves from the outside of the plant, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for an extended harvest. You can also cut the plant off about 1 inch above the soil line for a larger harvest, or remove the entire plant at once. Check plants daily once they approach maturity at 50 days, as leaves will eventually become bitter as the plant begins to bolt. While picking individual leaves may help extend the season, all will eventually become bitter, so timely harvesting is key.
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