Our new house site includes about a 2-acre clearance that will be around the house itself, then slopes down in back to another 4- to 5-acres that is also clear. While the whole thing is surrounded by pine forest (hardwoods have been pretty much logged out), this large area is completely clear and unshaded. The natural soils are fairly high in clay, sand, rock, and ledge. There will be some of what passes for "loam" in NH around the house area. Neither of these areas will have an irrigation system, both have good drainage.

We'll want a nice yard in the immediate area around the house. We'd like the slope and back area to stay clear and have some kind of hardy, sun-tolerant, slow-growing turf/recreational grass. We could plant the back area anytime between now and winter, what do you suggest for type of grass, method and time of planting? TIA, H