Farmers in the Purchase Region of Kentucky (and other less than well drained areas) do not normally think of wheat as a crop with a high yield potential. One of the main production problems is applying nitrogen in a timely manner due to wet soil conditions in the early spring. This study was designed to examine the effects of earlier then recommended applications of polymer coated urea (PCU) and delayed N applications of urea on grain yield of winter wheat. The study was conducted on a Zanesville silt loam (Fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Fragiudalfs) located near Princeton Kentucky and on a Donerail silt loam (Fine, mixed, mesic Oxyaquic Argiudolls) located near Lexington. Treatments consisted of PCU or urea at rates of 0, 45, 89, and 134 kg N ha-1 applied at planting, during winter dormancy, at Feekes (F) 3 or F6. Additional treatments to determine the effect of late N applications consisted of urea at rates of 0, 45, 89, and 134 kg N ha-1 at F7, F8, or F9. Results indicate that PCU was superior to urea when the N was applied earlier than recommended (at planting, or during dormancy). At optimal N application timing, there was not a significant source effect. For the later than recommended application time, wheat yield was significantly increased in a wet year, but was not affected in a dry year. Results demonstrate that farmers dealing with poor soil drainage have additional options for N application which might improve wheat yields.