Re: Getting Started
Sounds like SABL speeks from experience (I never used a pitchfork for this purpose)!
These publications and/or websites can aid in choosing vegetation species for various purposes.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0002a.pdf
TPWD:Vegetation
Your neighbors most likely paid big bucks to get sod laid from a commercial retailer in San Angelo or another city near you. Without photos or looking at the site, it is difficult to prescribe other than generally what is best for your site. So, here goes a most general plan which may or may only partially apply to your particular site --
1) Pickaxe--remove large rocks, place to side for future landscaping;
2) Mattock--dig up and hand remove medium-large rocks, wheelbarrow out to perimeter;
3) Pulaski or like tool--remove rocks and roots found after 1) and 2), also till soil;
4) Square-nose Shovel -- to aid in screening soil (if desired) to remove medium or or to remove medium-small rocks, as desired via mesh size of screen; to work out clumps of clay, possibly adding some sand if necessary in high clay soils; to spread organic matter such as sheep manure (better than cattle) and peat moss (lots of it);
5) Garden Rake--to level and spread, mix OM with soil.
Straw can be used as a top layer to cover all, once seedbed is prepared. If windy, some sort of organic adhesive may be desirable to hold straw down so as to keep seedbed protected from dessication.
Note that termites can be a problem in your area, carrying away seeds once sown and before germination. Pesticide may be necesssary, unfortunately.
Recommend hose-end spraying Nitrogen fertilizer at about 1/4 recommended rate once grass seedlings are seen and roots become established and continue doing this twice per week first two weeks and once per week thereafter. Up concentration to 1/2 recommended rate once plants mature and do this twice per month for first growing season.
Add straw to mulch to keep weeds down as needed.
Do not overwater. This can cause fungal infections of roots and other undesirable effects. Remember, OM was put there to help hold the soil water.
Once your vegetation base is established for a few years, small trees and/or shrubs may be added to, say, attract birds or other wildlife.