Q. I have two boys, 2 and 3. I love to grow flowers and vegetables. I want my sons to learn about gardening, but my husband says they are too young. That's an excuse because he thinks gardening is feminine and he wants the boys only to do things like sports. He might listen to you. What do you think?

A. We think there are many good lessons about life to be learned through gardening. Here's what we suggest: For now, let the flowers be your personal project, but try a family vegetable garden this year. Have each family member choose a favorite vegetable to grow -- make sure it's something likely to thrive in your particular garden space.

Involve the family in every step -- buying the seeds, preparing the soil, planting, and then regularly watering and weeding. Look often at the garden together and talk about what you see as the veggies begin to grow. Encourage the boys to be "scientists" -- you might get them magnifying glasses so they can examine seeds, bugs, and other things. Talk about how the rain and the sun and even the worms help things grow. Tell the boys about farmers and farming. Make sure they feel a strong sense of ownership of their vegetables.

As the garden grows, we think your sons will grow, too -- in knowledge, patience, responsibility and even their sense of wonder.

When the veggies are ripe, pick them together, and together decide how you'll prepare them for eating. Of course, have the boys help in that process, too.

We suspect that the project will become an annual family favorite -- and that your husband might even end up enjoying it once he sees how the kids respond.