Grass challenged back yard

[Denise Case]

about to be a first time landlord by accident. Will write more about that in a separate post.

Want to get this house leased by April and I want to do something with the bare dirt spots in the backyard. It’s a big backyard and I’m concerned about the aesthetics and the area around the patio getting muddy when it rains. 

What would you do on a limited budget?  Plant grass? Clover? Moss? Considered crushed gravel for a sitting/fire pit area or even a rock garden.  Don’t want to rely on tenants taking care of grass (Texas).