Gary: We have a garden with very, very bad drainage due to a clay-based soil. We have lost three lawns over four years. Proper drainage was priced up and would cost at least £650 which we can't afford. Do you have any ideas?

Alan: I think it might be worth investing in proper drainage, bearing in mind the cost of replacing plants and the time invested in getting them to grow. It may seem like a lot of money at the outset but it will help in the long run.
(See Lawn Maintenance, Creating a Lawn From Seed and Creating a Lawn From Turf for more information).

Chris: Apart from Nelson Mandela, who would you like to do a garden for?

Alan: I've always had the ambition to make a garden at 10 Downing St. Not for Mr Blair in particular, but just as a garden to show off to visiting statesmen.

Stesal: What's the best thing to control slugs?

Alan: Thrushes, hedgehogs and toads - encourage wildlife to help you. (See Pest Control for additional advice).

Nick: I am 13 years old and off school ill. Your programme How To Be A Gardener has inspired me to be a gardener. I am working on my nan's garden but the one bed has heavy clay, and I am not sure if the plants will grow.

Alan: Well done! Glad to have got you on board. Dig some really sharp grit into the ground and don't plant bulbs that need well-drained soil - go for Hostas and Ferns.

Stuart: Alan, I've been trying to grow Aubretia, as you often see great masses of it on rockeries, but every time I plant it, it dies. Where am I going wrong?

Alan: It needs well-drained soil and a sunny spot. Your ground may be too shady or too badly drained.

Andrew: Hi Alan. Can you give me any tips on keeping my grass green all year round?

Alan: Yes! Feed it in April with an organic lawn fertiliser and again in July. Water it in dry spells and it will stay green. (See Lawn Maintenance for more deatils).

Green Fingers: Any plans for the future? What is your next project?

Alan: I'm already filming the second series of How To Be A Gardener. I've just finished my memoirs under the title of Trowel And Error.

UKstyletv host: On behalf of Alan and everyone at ukstyle.tv thanks for joining in. Alan, thank you very much for sharing some great tips with us and we look forward to seeing more of you on UK Style.