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cold frame vs. row tunnels

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

ok, please help me with this.  As usual, I've confused myself by doing
too much research!  I've read relevant portions of Mel's book &
Coleman's "4-Season Harvest."  I've looked & looked on the web.  I
have a 12" high raised bed, 4' x approx +/-8'.  I'm not at all clever
with carpentry.  I want to grow crops all winter (for the 1st time),
partly becuz of Y2k & partly cuz I just want to!  I understand the
principles of the cold frame, angled toward the sun etc.  But, what if
i just did a big tunnel (not with a door or anything that fancy?!)
over my raised bed?  Down to how cold could I expect protection?  What
would be the best material to cover the tunnel??  I wouldn't exactly
have it angled toward the sun this way, would I?  

Ok, supposing that it doesn't give cold enuf protection -- here's my
idea:  Do a second slightly larger tunnel over the first tunnel & use
the air between the 2 as insulation.  How much would this help?

I think the tunnels would be made out of bent PVC pipe.

Why don't I just buy something.  Several reasons:  
1.  my bed is a nonstandard size
2.  it doesn't seem like it should be that difficult/complicated
3.  many of the systems are expensive
4.  I'm stubborn!

So, comments, please.  Also, please feel free to dissuade me & tell me
to just shell out the $$$ & live with the size, if that's what you
think I should do!!!!  

One further question:  does anybody have a source for Dalen's "Vent
O'Matic" which Coleman refers to on p. 202?

TIA


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