I tasted some of the fresh honey dew while sweeping the sticky leaves that are prematurely falling from two large birch trees we maintain in our front porch. There is a lot of sugar in the stuff and this year you could probably bottle it for sale. Readers are asking about this sticky stuff. As noted in previous columns, it is honeydew from the digestive process of the aphids which have hit area birch trees like a sandstorm hits Baghdad.

Specifically, folks want to know about spraying birches for aphids this year. Unless it is just plain, old cold water, I say don't waste your time. In my opinion, there is nothing you can do about losing birch leaves this time of year; the aphids are here and have already done their damage. If you have been watering your trees and lawns, then most of this damage is to your car, yard furniture and toys parked underneath birches and that can be easily rectified.

It makes sense for all of us to pick up and study a few of the leaves that have fallen. If you look closely you will see aphids, aphid "eggs" and empty "egg cases." You will probably also see tiny wasps and maybe a green lacewing. The numbers of wasps on our leaves was astonishing. Clearly nature is working to establish a natural balance between the aphids and harmless-to-human, tiny wasps. So, you don't want to spray trees; first, because it is way too late to keep leaves and, second, because you won't be just killing the aphids, but their enemies as well.

I do advise keeping the leaves that fall under any plant and the early birch leaf fall is no exception, as sticky as they are. They make a great mulch underneath the trees and they make good fodder for composting, covered with extra sugars to feed the bacteria in the pile.

There is one other sticky substance, this a more positive one, that has a few people scratching their heads -- and that is on unopened peony buds. Often ants eat away at this natural, sugar coating and help the peony open. Don't worry about it. Let the peony season, and it is here, distract from the aphid-coated, birch leaves.

Everyone should have at least one peony plant. There are literally 1,000 or more kinds to choose and, while they are best planted in the fall, you can't always find them. Buy local, potted up plants or mail order now and plant in early September. The herbaceous peonies (not "tree" types) are the ones that do well here.

This is the one plant you want to reserve that full sun, protected location all other plants on your property would covet. The only thing you need to remember is that the eyes of the tuber don't like to be more than 2 inches below the soil's surface so they have to be planted at the correct depth and you can't let mulch and compost build up, which, in effect, buries the eyes too deep.

Peonies have to be staked. Their flowers are generally too heavy for stems to support. It is also a good idea to clip flowers and take them inside to enjoy. There is no sense in letting them go to seed on the plant, though the seed heads can be lovely and used in floral displays.

Next, there is no sense sharing raspberries with the birds (bears are another thing). Your crop may be ready now and, if not, will be soon. So start checking so you get them first. The perfect ripe fruit is a red (or golden) one where the fruit crumble pulls off the comb in one piece. The perfect way to pick raspberries is to tread lightly in the patch. Try not to walk around plants which damages shoots coming up from underground and the important fungal network feeding your plants.

How do you tell male from female flowers on squash plants? The female flowers already have the beginnings of the fruit quit visible. You can literally pick the male flower and use it as a paint brush to pollinate female flowers. You can also bread and fry squash flowers. They are quite delicious.

Also delicious are kohlrabi slices, but only when the "head" is about the size of a tennis ball, but not much bigger. Don't wait until they become the size of a softball. You will attract slugs and you will give your kids and newbies another reason not to like cole crops.

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