Planning Your Summer Garden - Vegetable Soap Recipes

It's almost officially summer here in Texas. My bean plants are thriving and the tomatoes are growing quickly...I'm sure we'll have enough zucchini to last us until well into next year, and a fair amount of cucumbers too. I didn't do carrots this year...but, that's what the Farmer's Market is for. Most folks probably don't plan their summer gardens with soap making in mind...but using vegetable purees and juices in soap is a wonderful seasonal variation. You need to mix your lye solution a little differently (here's how) but the results can be really wonderful. The vegetables mostly add color. (The scent really doesn't stick.) But the skins can be mildly exfoliating as well. Here are some summer vegetable-themed soap recipes:

• Cucumber Soap - crisp and refreshing.
• Carrot Juice Soap - muted, light and intriguing
• Tomato Basil Soap - my favorite summertime soap

So when you're going to the market, or tending your garden to nurture some fresh vegetables, make sure to save a few for some soap!