The Right Time and Right Rate for nitrogen applications depends on many factors, including soil type and texture. For many areas in the Mid-Atlantic with relatively course-textured soils, it is good practice to apply a small amount of nitrogen at the beginning of the growing season, followed by one or more fertilizer applications later on. This allows most of the nitrogen to be applied nearer in time to when the crop will take it up, and reduce the risk of loss in a heavy rain event.