"Victory Gardens" Are In As England Tightens Its Belt

London producer Amy Guttman has done a two-part series for us on a couple ways Britons are trying to counter the economic effects of recession.

Billed as "Victory Gardens" during World War II, public allotments became hugely popular as a way to bolster the kitchen larder, and maybe even sell some produce on the side.

The souring economy has prompted a huge increase in demand for the public garden plots, and some very exclusive real estate has been opened up to eager gardeners looking for a place to turn their thumbs green:

The second piece is on the slightly ironic position Britain's charity shops find themselves in.

Second-hand clothing has long been a trendy penchant for some groups, but with belts tightening, more and more people in this country are hunting for pre-worn bargains.

Demand at Britain's charity shops has peaked, and while you'd think that would have shop owners dancing the jig, they're a bit doomed by their own success. The same people looking for designer duds from the days gone by are parting with a lot less of their old threads — choosing instead to mend a frock and darn a sock than to splash out on new clothing.

Thanks to penny pinching consumers, the charity shops' stocks are actually dwindling, and unlike most shops, supply can't easily be increased to meet demand. Charity bosses are hoping the rich will do some wardrobe clearing this summer.