One of the biggest challenges for greenhouse gardeners in the summer months is regulating the temperature inside. Ventilation is the key – and it is made much easier with Bayliss Autovents.

When the sun is shining, temperatures inside the greenhouse shoot up, sometimes to 40-50°C if left unchecked – far too hot for most plants. Ventilation the greenhouse by opening the door, louvre and roof vents stops the interior temperature rising too high by encouraging air circulation. When temperatures fall again, on cloudy days or during cooler evenings, close the vents to help maintain the warmth inside. Of course, if the vents and windows on your greenhouse are manually controlled, that means regular trips to and from the greenhouse to close and open them. Save effort and time by fitting Bayliss autovents, and they’ll do the hard work for you.

Reacting to the internal temperature, the autovents open and close the windows, and can be retro-fitted to most aluminium and timber greenhouse models (Bayliss provide full instructions). Replacement tubes and spares are also available, if existing Bayliss Autovents need repairing. Vents that open and close automatically are especially useful if you’re going away for a few days, and leaving the greenhouse untended.

Bayliss Autovents open and close a hinged vent automatically using energy from the warmth of the sun or the surrounding air. The hotter it gets, the wider the autovent opens the vent. And because it uses no electricity it is a very environmentally friendly product.

The only maintenance needed on the autovent is a general wipe down from time to time, and a little oil applied to moving parts. It’s also a good idea to carefully wipe the piston rod a couple of times a year.

Greenhouse shading also helps keeps the temperatures more even. Blinds that can be fitted either internally or externally are a good choice because they can be rolled up on cool, cloudy days to let more light in. Shade paint is an affordable option, but once it is painted on, is normally left until the end of the season when it is washed off, so offers less flexibility. For a quick fix, green shade netting can be hung inside to protect vulnerable plants from scorching sun and temperatures.

It’s also vital to keep the atmosphere inside the greenhouse humid. Dry air and hot weather can cause problem pests such as red spider mite and whitefly to proliferate rapidly. Regularly pour a watering can full of water on the greenhouse path so it evaporates to keep the air humid.

For more information, visit the Bayliss Autovents website here.