I can't get grass to grow in my yard! what options are not too costly?

Would you consider investing in astroturf? It'll cut down on water costs and upkeep and might be worth it in the long run.

You can also, if you don't mind having grass, turn your yard into a rock garden and use potted plants to make it like you have gardens. Check with your local gardening centers for what native plants you can actually plant in the ground and what would be better in pots for the hot humid climate you have. You can do areas, wherever you want to start the project in and do small areas at a time until you have what you envision. Just start with a plan on paper of what plants you want where and eventually you will have a yard everyone will want.

I would try ivy. Ignore it and it does great.

truthfully with cost rising of watering and care of the yard, go get the fake grass. look at Lowes, Costco has it. Im going to do this. Im sick of freaky weeds ruining my sod. so Im pulling it all out and going with fake grass in front and then only in one area in back and rest is getting landscaped to not have grass but something else to keep the weeds out. Im sick of it. Rain in Oregon this year alone has been nuts. I cut the grass in my backyard just last Monday and last night it was over 12" high and I had to cut it for the doggie bathroom. LOL And I just was notified that my sewer and water bill is going up so that's it for me. Life is to short to freak out over this it is going. oh in my front yard, i had a oak tree there and it had to come down but when i paid for the sod that area where the stump was has continued to give me grief and not grow right. so it's coming out to. sick of it. then i don't have to water it.

I also recommend Astroturf - it sounds eh, but they make some really, really nice Astroturf these days!