Our lettuces are in full production right now, giving us a continuous supply of fresh, beautiful salads to enjoy.  Like many vegetables, the home version bears little resemblance to those found on the store shelves, in terms of flavor and texture.  And it doesn't get much easier to grow!  I scatter a mixture of seeds on top of the soil right before a projected rainfall to keep them damp while they germinate.  The growing season in our area typically has enough rainfall to sustain the majority of the plant's water needs, so the maintenance is minimal.
      Once the lettuces reach about six inches tall, I take my kitchen scissors and clip off the top half for salad, leaving the plant to continue growing for regular clippings. A typical growing season will produce at least two months of salads before the plants finally decide to flower, but if the weather gets too warm, the season can be cut short.  In warmer areas, a plot with afternoon shade should keep them producing longer.