Should I fertilize my lawn before or after it rains?

Question:

Should I fertilize my lawn before or after it rains?

Answer:

Ideally, you would apply fertilizer to the lawn just before a light rain.  Alternatively, you can water the lawn just after the application.  This allows the fertilizer to be readily absorbed into the soil, where the plants can use it.

Do not fertilize if moderate to heavy rains are likely within 24 hours. This will wash away some fertilizer before your lawn can use it. 

Knowing when and how much it will rain is not easy!  To avoid the chance of the fertilizer washing away (wasting money and potentially polluting water sources), apply the fertilizer about 24 hours after a soaking rain (or 24 hours after irrigation).  This allows the fertilizer to more readily break down and absorb into the soil without the threat of the fertilizer being washed away.