Material and tool list
The quality of the film has a decisive influence on whether a cold frame tunnel works. Conventional plastic film is not suitable for this purpose. Instead, use greenhouse film (€ 8.99 on Amazon *) or a similar UV-resistant PE film. To build a cold frame tunnel 120 cm wide and 300 cm long, the following materials and tools are required:
- 600 cm long and 250 cm wide, transparent greenhouse film
- 4 pieces of 300 cm long round bars made of galvanized steel, stainless steel or fiberglass (diameter 5-8 mm)
- String and wooden pegs
- Hammer, folding rule, scissors
also read
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- How to build the cover for a cold frame yourself
- Build your own cold frame out of wood - this is how it works in the garden
In order for the polytunnel (€ 7.94 at Amazon *) to have an acceptable height of 75 cm, the round bars should be 300 cm long and flexible. In order to achieve a greater height, correspondingly longer rods are required.
Building instructions - how to build a cold frame tunnel yourself
The construction of a cold frame tunnel is so easy that you can do without additional helpers. The best time to build is in early spring, once the soil has completely thawed. How to proceed step by step:
- Insert the round rods at a distance of 75 cm each 30 cm deep into the ground
- Then bend each rod into a semicircle and press it into the ground on the opposite side of the bed
To stabilize the individual arches, wrap the string around each rod once at the highest point. Pull the two ends of the string taut and tie them to wooden pegs that you have previously knocked into the ground. Only then do you stretch the film over the construction. You weigh down the excess with stones or staples.
For the care of the plants and for ventilation, simply push the film up on the sides.
Tips
So that the correct germination temperature develops in the cold frame tunnel, prepare the location with natural heating. Dig a 50 cm deep pit that you fill with two 20 cm thick layers of horse manure and semi-mature compost with garden soil. Then build the polytunnel over it according to these instructions.
