Numerous varieties of each type are available. The type of lettuce you choose to grow depends upon your growing season as well as your taste preferences. Crisphead lettuce, more commonly known as iceberg, forms a tight firm head of crisp leaves. It is also the most difficult type of lettuce to grow.
Crisphead lettuce can be direct sown or started indoors.
Rows in the garden should be 18 to 24 inches apart, plants within the rows should be thinned to 12 to 14 inches between plants. Crisphead lettuce generally doesn't grow well in Iowa. Adventuresome gardeners may want to try 'Mission', 'Great Lakes', and 'Ithaca'. Most varieties mature in 70 to 85 days. Butterhead varieties are heading types as well except their leaves are loosely folded on top of one another.