How frost hardy are lettuce?

[kippers garden]

I ahve some lettuce growing nicely in my cold frame down at my allotment and i have today sowed some more in a seed tray at home.  My question is: How frost hardy are lettuce?  Can lettuce be planted out without cover at this time of the year (i am in the Midlands so we expect frosts up until the end of May).

[kippers garden]

[Fork]

Our plots are in the Midlands too(Derbyshire) and those of us who grow lettuce have them some planted outdoors now.

I have iceberg and rosso out.Only thing I have to worry about is the rabbits!!!

[Suzanne]

Mine go out from mid April - not had a problem with frost affecting them before. They are tougher than you think.

[tugboat]

 I had frost on my cloches on friday morning and there was no damage underneath and from tonight will leave them open to the
elements,but any sign of a frost and they will go back on.I am in bedford and growing webbs,
lobjoits and cos. I think it is important to harden these plants off first because lettuce going
from warm greenhouse or home will suffer badly if you move them out without doing so
 

[small]

My all year round lettuce overwintered (midlands) and we are eating them now.  My little Gem and Salad Bowl have been out this last week through the frosts and seem to have survived ok. I agree that lettuce are much tougher than we think, odd since they are nearly all water.....

[Jokerman]

they'll be fine, just harden them off fully   :P