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Don’t pick up dirt after aerating. Even though it's tempting because soil cores are incredibly unsightly, these cores and the dirt they leave behind are ecologically important. This is what keeps your grass looking beautiful and growing healthily. The soil cores need two to three weeks to decompose, but you can swat them with a rake if their natural shape bothers you.

Yes, you can put tree branches in a dumpster. In most places, tree branches, brush, logs, and other wood are considered yard waste, which is allowed in most dumpsters. Check with your local municipal authority to determine whether there are any rules about yard waste disposal and how much yard waste you can place in a single dumpster.

For minor unevenness, you don't necessarily need to remove grass before leveling. You can apply a topdressing mixture to fill in low areas and even out the surface. However, for more significant unevenness or deep depressions, it might be necessary to temporarily remove the grass to ensure proper leveling and soil compaction. After filling and leveling, you can replace the grass or consider reseeding the area.

Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.