Bitter lettuce from the home garden is almost always a result of inconsistent soil moisture levels, too hot weather, and getting too old before picking. Lettuce likes evenly moist soil, cool temps, and early picking.

We like Oak Leaf, Red Sails, and Grand Rapids the best.

Dave

In addition to the varieties mentioned by Dave, we have found black seeded Simpson, or Simpson's Elite to be a reliable, tasty lettuce. Deer's Tongue, which comes in green or red, is also good.
Bitter lettuce is the result of poor growing conditions, not the variety. Good luck with one of the easiest, tastiest vegetables home gardeners can grow!

I agree with the Black Seeded Simpson or the Simpson Elite versions. They're grrrrreat!

Usually my leaf lettuce tastes good until the weather gets hot. Planting it in shade--between rows of peas or North of the asparagus bed--helps somewhat. And some varieties resist bolting and bitterness longer than others. I like Black Seeded Simpson for early lettuce but mine tends to bolt or go bitter in heat; Anuenue and Olga Romaine do better for me in July.

Thanks for the info. Looking at the seed catologe im thinking Simpson at least if I dont like it I will still have time for Radishes or poss beets. I have never had homegrown lettuce only stuff from stores and restrants and have never really liked them. I figure its worth a try, heat is generally not a problem here and the area will be morning and late aft shaded. Thanks again Regards Scott

Simpson Elite is my favorite. It will grow to a huge size without losing flavor or becoming bitter.

Green Ice is my #1.

Several seed companies sell packets containing mixtures of lettuce and other greens. You might try a couple of those.
Here are a couple of suggestions: https://www.superseeds.com/products.php?cat=115
http://www.burpee.com/category/vegetables/lettuce.do

Here is a link that might be useful: Salad and braising mixtures from Johnny's

Scott, you were given a lot of good suggestions here. Go with them but if you search the vegetable catelogs this time of year you'll find that not all lettuces are created equal. Some here mentioned varieties that can perform a little better under adverse conditions. Tosser's mention of Green Ice is one clear example.

I try to lean to the romaine types for a longer, into summer, harvest season but there are a few buttercrunch types like the newer "Baby Star" that are excellent well into the summer. I like to try 20+ varieties to cover all bases. Many of my customers are sold on the vast variety of red and purple leafed varieties that are available. I feel I can harvest newer red varieties longer although you'll pay a little extra for seeds.

I grow all kinds of leaf lettuce, oakleaf, redina, rouge d'hiver, deer tongue, salad bown,etc as well as several mixes. I sow the mixes and eat the thinnings, leaving some to get bigger. (Also grow some heading types but it usually gets too warm for them too quickly) The important thing besides enough water is watching them for the first signs of bolting. When they begin to get a tiny bit taller and the leaves begin to loose the lustre (they seem to change a little toward gray-green matte finish) they become bitter. Also note when you break a leaf off, a milky sap appears...they are too old and will be bitter.