Needing to Know Beyond Garden Gnomes

I know next to nothing about gardening, especially flower gardens.  My knowledge about yard work expands as far as raking leaves, picking up sticks and large objects before mowing, and well... mowing (on a ride-on mower).  I just asked Brendan what he knew and he told me to keep the bushes trimmed at least 6inches away from the house and to add soil to the garden.  The soil piece was my favorite contribution.


So we obviously need help!  Please feel free to give any advice on caring for gardens and lawns.

I've raked half of the lawn.  Needing suggestions from Jamestown friends.
What is the best way to dispose of these leaves, sticks, and pine cones?

What is the best way to remove the leaves? Rake them? Will it ruin what is underneath?
And... can I pull out those ugly (dead?) stick-like plants coming from the ground?

Do I need to hand pick all of the leaves and pine needles from this section as some flowers are already coming up?
And... here are those ugly, I think dead, plants.  Can I pull them up without hurting the plants around them?

Suggestions are welcome!  I'm very close to pulling up everything that looks ugly to me!