We are in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at 4,000-4500' elevation 2 hours from Yosemite. We have red clay soil all around our house. We just replaced our leach field at which time they did a nice job of leveling out our yard which was really slopped uphill before. We would like to throw some grass seed out or at least something to cut down on erosion (there is straw out there now) and the amount of dirt/dust that fills our house at all times. LOL However, we don't want to saturate our field with water so we are looking for something that doesn't require as much maintainance. Eventually I would like to landscape and plant a garden and there is enough room for both (we are on just under 1/4 acre). Suggestions? Thanks, Carol