Potatoes from the Patio One of the very first vegetable crops which the gardener can get their teeth into growing this early in the year is the potato. The traditional spud is enjoying quite a revival in popularity amongst gardeners, much of which is owed to the increasing activity of container-growing on the patio.   After the Storm... Another battering of storms leaves many gardens rather worse for wear, whether it is from fallen branches, fallen fencing or even complete trees. Whatever the scene, you are probably faced with a whole heap of unexpected tidying up or replacing to do, so read on for some timely tips for the lull after the storm.   Things You Might Not Know About Trees England is now one of the least wooded countries in Europe, according to the Woodland Trust. Just 12% of the UK is covered in woodland, compared to a European Union average of 36%. The trust claims that over 50% of our ancient woodland has been lost to development since the 1930's. 'Ancient' woods are those having been around for over 400 years and are rich in history as well as wildlife. The Woodland Trust, formed in 1972, now cares for and protects 47,000 acres of woodland, including 350 ancient sites.   Gardeners Get Ready If you think January's a time when there's nothing to do in the garden, think again! Whilst the draw of the TV and armchair is at its peak for the next few weeks, spending at least a couple of hours out in the garden right now is time well spent, and if you really don't fancy braving the elements any more than you need to, there's always some indoor gardening jobs to be found!   Things You Might Not Know About Cyclamen… All Cyclamen belong to the Primrose family (Primulaceae). There are over 20 different species of Cyclamen which originate from many parts of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Some species come from very specific regions including C. africanum (from Algier and Tunisia), C. cyprium (from Cyprus) and C. balearicum (from the Balearic Islands). Whilst some species are hardy in our country, others require protection from frost.   Poinsettias are Number One! Did you know that poinsettia is Britain's best selling houseplant? Millions will be sold this month to decorate our homes over the festive season and beyond.