Lori - I understand - I had a 2 year hiatus while I battled a mycobacteria lung infection, now wear an N95 mask & gloves to "play in the dirt."
Tank is an adolescent - best guess around 20 years (he was rescued as a 15lb youngster)
Superman will be 5 in May - they only live 2 miles from us, and he loves gardens, trees, being outdoors (so do Mom & Dad) - he helped Auntie plant marigolds at my house last summer, and asked for some of his own, which he tended until frost. We didn't realize how much he loved it until he started planting sticks in the snow - he's sure they will grow into trees in the spring! So we've planted the seed with Dad to have him help build a beginner 4X8 raised bed in a corner of their yard and give him ownership of part. Both my girls got their first gardens at about that age, and have been gardening ever since - they owned a duplex for 10 years that had only a token lawn, the rest was flowers and vegetables. (His Mom has been on hiatus for a few years with 2 preschoolers, a dog & a tortoise in the yard & a full-time job but she's ready to dip her toes again.)
I'm excited because the plants we're offering this year are 80% natives & heirloom veggies. We even have a treasure called a "Pollinator Flat" - 3 each of 6 different natives for $40, 4 types to attract bees, hummers, monarchs & other butterflies.
Sue