Growing lettuce is not difficult, you need cool conditions and plenty of water. The main types of lettuce are Cos (romaine), Cos is a tall lettuce, the head is fairly tight and has lots of flavour, Crispheads are the lettuce of supermarkets the iceberg being the most common. Leaf Lettuces are the ones we like fro home growing, they mature quickly and types such as the Oakleaf lettuce can be picked bit by bit.Butterheads are smaller than others and have looser and more tender leaves compared to a crisphead. Seed can be sown in punnets in a greenhouse or cold frame and then transplanted, or you can sow directly. Remember to thin out to give the lettuces room to grow. Leaf lettuce is picked by romoving outer leaves as you need them, You can do the same with Cos (romaine) and Butterheads, or you can cut at the base or remove completely. Cripheads are picked by cutting at the base or removing. If you cut at the base you may get a second flush. Remember, an over mature lettuce is a tough one, so pick when young and fresh, stagger your sowings and consider growing lettuces using a hydroponic system.