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 Podcast00:40 Meet the Guest: Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago01:00 Exploring the Transformative Power of Gardening01:45 Perla Sofia's Background and Achievements02:26 The Significance of Taking a Garden Break03:22 Gardening and Stress Management04:42 Creating a Garden for Personal Enjoyment06:29 Gardening Inspired by Literature11:52 Gardening as a Family Activity14:12 Gardening for Teenagers19:31 The Concept of Garden Life22:12 Addressing Modern Stressors through Gardening25:44 The Role of Biophilia in Modern Life28:15 Introducing Verdura: Living a Garden Life34:19 Creating a Green Space for Zoom Meetings35:26 Organizing Your Legacy: Planning for Your Collections39:29 Designing a Garden with Intention40:37 Busting the Green Thumb Myth41:32 Early Garden Memories and Pursuing Gardening as a Profession46:29 Funny Garden Stories: The Pumpkin Paranoia50:41 Valuable Gardening Advice and Influences54:03 Learning from Gardening Mistakes and Discoveries57:38 Attracting Wildlife to the Garden: Future Plans01:01:04 Daily Gardening Routine and Final Thoughts