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The best way to clean an overgrown yard is to create a multi-stage game plan, from clearing out the debris to cleaning up the edges around hardscaping and landscape curbing. Get rid of yard debris like worn furniture and broken tools first, then start trimming and raking what’s left. Mow the grass, trim the hedges, and rake leaves away. Once that’s complete, move on to more detailed work, like pulling weeds and replanting gardens.

Yes, you can absolutely make your own mulch, and there are a few ways to go about it. First, you can lay down pine needles or mulched leaves if you’re mulching in the fall. In the spring and summer, you can use mulched grass clippings. Alternatively, you can lay down a few layers of newspaper in your garden and gently wet the paper to keep it in place.

While you don’t need to put anything down before mulch, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed growth. As long as you remove weeds before you spread mulch, you should be in the clear. But a herbicide is something that you can put down before mulch as an extra layer of protection.

While a rented dumpster can handle a wide variety of materials, there are significant restrictions on what is allowed. Generally, you can dispose of most non-hazardous household junk, yard waste, and construction debris.

Accepted items typically include:

• Furniture, carpets, old linens, and toys

• Wood and yard debris

• Small appliances and excess trash

• Renovation waste like old finishes, building debris, and roofing materials (unless they contain lead paint or asbestos)

However, you cannot put toxic, flammable, or hazardous materials in a dumpster. Prohibited items almost always include:

• Paint, gasoline, oil, and other fuels

• Household cleaners and other chemicals

• Electronics, batteries, and tires

• Refrigerators, hot water tanks, and medical waste

Since regulations can vary by location and company, it is essential to check with your dumpster rental provider for their specific list of accepted and prohibited items before you begin.