Question
Hi there~
anything you can tell me would be appreciated....
I am trying to grow grass in our backyard and want to make sure we are doing what is necessary/when necessary and the best products to use.  We have sandy areas in a few spots where we put down black dirt and then put on grass seed/fertilizer etc.  It was cool when we put it down....then got pretty cold for about a week (daytime @ about 40-50 degrees).  Will the grass seed still take?  and about how long before we should see some grass starting to sprout?  
We also have these huge black beetles in our yard...that look like a bug I matched in an insect book that says they eat grubs.  I was told to buy "sevens" that kills lots of insects....is that a good thing to use?  And how long should I keep my 4 young children off of it?
My husband also put down weed control....and there are still lots of weeds in our lawn....I am guessing he needs to first kill the weeds that are already there....can you recommend something?
Thank you much...
~Cheri

Answer
Don't put insecticides down unless you have a problem of dying grass. There are thousands of beatles in the soil which wont hurt your lawn. I am not a big favorite of insecticides unless you have a big problem.

You do not mention where you live and the speed of germination (sprouting) of grass seeds will depend on the type of grass. In warm climates (mild winters, hot summers) typically warm season grass like bermuda, bahia and zoysia are grown. In cool season areas (4 seasons including cold snowy winters) typically kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescues are grown.

Grass takes 14-30 days to germinate (sprout). Cold temperatures wont hurt seedlings or seeds, but cold temperatures may delay germination (sprouting) especially for warm season grass which germinate only when the soil is warm. Cool season grass seeds will germinate over a wider range.

For both it applies, that you must keep the seed bed slightly moist (but not soaked) until germination. Consistent moisture is required for the seeds to germinate. If the seeds dry out even shortly, they die. Therefore, water daily until germination. Initially just water 10 minutes once or twice per day. Keeping the soil surface moist is all you need.

Once the seeds germinate, gradually reduce the time between watering and the amount of water you apply. the goal after 4-6 weeks is to water infrequently, but deeply, such as once per week for 2 hours rather than 15 minutes daily.

There are technically 3 types of weed killers:
- pre-emergent herbicides, aka crabgrass preventers (such as Halts). This herbicide will prevent grass and weed seeds from germinating. it is ineffective against existing weeds, but will prevent certain weed seeds from germinating (such as crabgrass). It must be applied at the proper time (check a local garden center. they will have heard the question before). Warning: do not use crabgrass preventers when you plan on sowing seeds. the herbicide will also prevent grass seeds from germinating. allow at least 6 months between applying herbicides and sowing grass.

- post-emergent herbicides, aka broadleaf weed control (such as Ortho's weed-be-gon, etc). This is a herbicide which is applied to the leaves of actively growing weeds. the herbicide will kill broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, thisle, wild strawberry, etc, but it will not damage grassy weeds (wild onion, goose grass, crabgrass) or certain very hard to control weeds (ivy, creeping charlie, etc). You can usually sow within 4-6 weeks of applying, but check lable. If your seeds have not germinated yet, it is probably ok, but don't use it if you are sowing under normal circumstances. Sometimes you can buy so-called "weed-and-feed" products (fertilizer with broadleaf weed control mixed into it). E.g such as Scott's Turfbuilder 2+2. It must be applied to a WET lawn and left on the leaves for 24-48 hours before being washed in. I prefer to use fertilizers seperately and herbicides seperately. e.g. I would rather buy a bottle of Weed-Be-Gon and spray weeds seperate from fertilizing.

- non-selective weed killers. these will kill grass and weeds. they are taken in through the leaves and will kill everything (weeds, grass, flowers, bushes, etc). Spray on a calm day, wear protective clothing and keep children off the lawn. If you spray the entire lawn, the vegetation (weeds and grass) should die within 7-10 days and you can then rake it up and sow new seeds immediately. once the product is dry it will not persist or translocate in soil and is safe for children and sowing of grass. It requires starting all over, however.

I am not sure which type of weed killer your husband put down. If it is weed killer which will prevent crabgrass from germinating, it will also prevent seeds from germinating. You can not sow seeds for the next 6 months.

If broadleaf weed control product, then you should see weeds dying in a few weeks. Hopefully the seeds are not affected.

If it is a non-selective herbicide, you should see grass and weeds dying. once they are dead, rake up and resow.

remember to keep the seed bed consistently moist until germination.

I would keep children off the lawn until a heavy rain shower has washed the herbicide into the ground.