In this episode of The Garden Question Podcast, host Craig McManus chats with Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago, a professional gardener and communicator from Puerto Rico. They discuss the transformative power of gardening for stress relief, mental health, and overall physical well-being. With a background in psychology and a certification in horticultural therapy, Perla Sofía shares insights on stress management techniques and integrating gardening into one's lifestyle for health benefits. Perla Sofia also talks about her endeavors in spreading awareness about the benefits of taking a garden break, her recently published book '¡Verdura! Living a Garden Life', and her new website, MyGardenBreak.com.

Episode Page:

00:01 Introduction to the Garden Question Podcast

00:40 Meet the Guest: Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago

01:00 Exploring the Transformative Power of Gardening

01:45 Perla Sofia's Background and Achievements

02:26 The Significance of Taking a Garden Break

03:22 Gardening and Stress Management

04:42 Creating a Garden for Personal Enjoyment

06:29 Gardening Inspired by Literature

11:52 Gardening as a Family Activity

14:12 Gardening for Teenagers

19:31 The Concept of Garden Life

22:12 Addressing Modern Stressors through Gardening

25:44 The Role of Biophilia in Modern Life

28:15 Introducing Verdura: Living a Garden Life

34:19 Creating a Green Space for Zoom Meetings

35:26 Organizing Your Legacy: Planning for Your Collections

39:29 Designing a Garden with Intention

40:37 Busting the Green Thumb Myth

41:32 Early Garden Memories and Pursuing Gardening as a Profession

46:29 Funny Garden Stories: The Pumpkin Paranoia

50:41 Valuable Gardening Advice and Influences

54:03 Learning from Gardening Mistakes and Discoveries

57:38 Attracting Wildlife to the Garden: Future Plans

01:01:04 Daily Gardening Routine and Final Thoughts