I HAVE been reading in the papers about parks and gardens down south having to close to the public as a result of the extended hot weather.

The National Open Garden Scheme is alleged to be 50 per cent down on predicted visitor numbers. They have been unable to stop the plants drying out and dying, or lawns going brown and frizzling up. Nurseries have had a whole autumn and winter's worth of cuttings ruined by the scorching heat, or have had to employ more staff to up the watering regime.

We certainly suffered a similar fate in our large propagation greenhouse at Natures World this summer.

Fortunately, we had managed to plant out most of our vegetable seedlings before the worst of the heat really took hold. It's the bank holidays that really cause the damage for us.

During the week, there are a million hands willing to play around with hosepipes and watering cans (double that on a hot sunny day). The trainees undertake a five day working week, and are therefore not in over a weekend.

Usually, the plants can just about manage to cope with that period, especially if we give them and the floor a good soaking last thing on a Friday afternoon. That extra day on the bank holiday weekend though is often the straw that breaks the camel's back.

So, we make sure that all planting out is done by May Day. It has given us a workable deadline.

We learnt a lot about tropical plants over the summer. The temperatures in our new building, the hydroponicum, reached astonishing levels. Even the banana leaves started to crisp up.

We have had to move plants around between the levels, finding suitable locations for each particular type of plant.

The bromeliads might do well in the rain forests of South America, but that doesn't mean that they can thrive in the same conditions as a barrel cactus. They need a constant source of moisture around their leaves.

As houseplants, many people make the mistake of watering them around the base or directly into the centre well. In the wild, they live in the crevices of branches and trunks. The roots merely anchor the plant into the precipitous location.

All the plants' nutrient and water needs are absorbed through the leaves from the constant surrounding moisture.

The best way to replicate this in the home is by using a cheap hand sprayer filled with water that has been allowed to come up to room temperature. In the hydroponicum, we had to rig up a series of misting nozzles.

This not only provided an instant improvement in the health of the plants (the bananas stopped drooping), but created a pleasant atmosphere in which to work (and visit).

Out in the gardens, we don't seem to have suffered much at all from the drought. Most of our borders are jam-packed with plants and shrubs on various levels.

This creates mini eco-systems which support themselves. Any soil that is showing is well mulched with bark chippings.

Consequently, there is a much higher level of moisture retention.

Our lawns remain green because we try not to cut them quite as short as is the norm. Browning doesn't happen as the extra length protects the soil and the roots from drying out.

This does mean that we have to cut the lawns more often, but there is usually a fight to be the first to get to the lawn mowers anyway, so that doesn't matter.

Keeping the cut higher also means that the weeds are less likely to colonise.

Although the weather has been particularly pleasant this summer, for some gardeners, it has been quite detrimental. However, if you alter the way in which you garden, and perhaps think about simple, more natural ways of not combating, but living with the problems, then the outcome can be quite pleasing.

JOBS THIS WEEK

Move conifers

Now is the best time of the year to move evergreens and conifers. Make sure that you dig out the roots with as little disturbance as possible. Ensure that the receiving hole is big enough to take the tree, and water in thoroughly.

Repair the lawn

Holes, over-trodden patches and ragged edges can be re-turfed now. Dig out an area bigger than the damaged part. Cut the patch to fit by laying it over the area. Scuff up and water the soil.

Place the sod in position and pat down - don't stamp on it. Water again, and remember to do so at least daily for the next fortnight.

Plant out new strawberries

Young runners can be planted out now. Either shop bought ones or ones taken from existing plants. They should build up enough to show their first fruit next summer.

Gardeners' Questions

Ivy from Darlington wants to cover the front of her old Victorian house with a climber. She doesn't want anything that would be too invasive or take too much maintenance. The front of her house gets some sun, but not an awful lot.

How about going for something like Boston ivy (bit of a namesake for her, too). Parthenosissus tricuspidata is perfect for covering a wall or fencing. It is a very hardy, fairly fast growing, deciduous climber.

It is a shiny green colour in summer, but really comes to the fore in autumn when the foliage burns deep crimson. It requires a well drained soil but will do well in semi shade.

For further horticultural hints and tips tune into Ask about Gardening every Sunday from 12-2pm on BBC Radio Cleveland, 95FM.

Send your questions to be answered in The Northern Echo to Brigid at

brigidpress67.freeserve.co.uk or write to her at Nature's World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough.