Ace the Maryland Fertilizer Exam 2026 – Cultivate Your Knowledge and Grow Beyond!

Applying fertilizer just before a heavy rain is discouraged due to the potential for nutrient runoff, which can lead to environmental concerns such as water pollution. When heavy rain occurs shortly after application, the fertilizer can wash away from the intended area, reducing its effectiveness and potentially contaminating nearby water bodies.

Fertilizers contain various nutrients that, if washed into stormwater runoff, can contribute to problems like algal blooms in lakes and rivers, which deplete oxygen levels and harm aquatic life. For these reasons, it's critical to time fertilizer application appropriately, ensuring that there is adequate time for absorption into the soil and avoiding weather conditions that could lead to runoff. Thus, applying fertilizer just before heavy rain is not advisable, making the answer of "False" correct.