Hilly,,, Lime will increase the pH value. 7.0 is neutral and for every point drop you soil is 10 times more acidic... every point over 7.0 is more base/alkaline. Example, if you soil is a 6.0 then you soil is 10 times more acidic than 7.0. If you soil is a 5.0 then your soil is 10 times more acidic than 6.0 BUT 100 times more acidic than 7.0.... Most plants cannot tolorate a pH over 8.0. In response, we always suggest that you do a soil sample and while you are waiting for the results you should start spraying the area with Round-Up or some other non-lingering/disapating broad sprectrum herbicide. Usually the herbicides require about 10-21 days, always read the directions, after being sprayed to be pulled into the root system and kill off the plant. By that time you soil test should have returned. If you are planting an area with grasses/weeds you should mow the area first, this will stimulate growth, then rake the area off. Larger areas may require a hay rake... Give it until after the next rain and respray 1-3 days later. This growth spurt should suck in the herbicide right into the root system. Spraying when the plant is dry will not allow the plant to fully absorb the herbicide. It is possible to kill the leaf but not the plant/root. If the root system is not destroyed then you have done nothing and may expect major problems in the future from the re growth from the not dead root system. The same thing is true of fertilizers, no mater which one you use. This will allow for a removal of thatch and the seed/spore that was hung up on the thatch will have soil contact and hopefully germinate. This will allow for a more through eradication of noxious growth. After tha plants/weeds/grasses die off then, if possible, do a slow burn against the wind... BE CAREFUL... Get some help and check local ordinances... The phosphrous in the ash should assist in some natural fertilizer back into the soil. Soil prep is the most important part of planting. If you can screw up, this is the area where it happens most. You may need to wait until the next planting season in order to do a good job of soil prep. We suggest that if you have to raise you soil pH value over one point that you lime and wait until the next planting season or hit the area with some liquid lime. Just don't be in a hurry to fail... The only dumb question is the question not asked...