To understand the current status of fertilizer application methods for maize production by farmers inNortheastern China, a survey was carried out by random sampling farmers in Lishu county, Jilin province, from 2012 to 2014. The results showed that the percentage of the farmers who adopted side-dressing fertilizer during maizegrowth period were 36.8%, 27% and 19.1% in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In maize grown on sandy soil, asmany as 64.5% of the farmers side dressed fertilizer in addition to the basal fertilization. On black soil, alluvial soiland other soil types, only 14%, 8.3% and 9.6% of the farmers conducted side-dressing, respectively. 40.8% of thefarmers applied N nitrogen fertilizers in an optimum amount（160~240 kg·hm^-2）, while 54.1% of the farmers applied excessive nitrogen fertilizer（＞240 kg·hm^-2）. The total amount of N application was more in the farmer whoside-dressed fertilizers in addition to basal N fertilizers compared to those only applied basal fertilizers. 80.8% offarmers investigated believed that side-dress fertilizer can increase maize yield. Among farmers who only appliedbasal fertilizers, 80.1% thought that basal fertilizer application was convenient, and 76.2% would like to side-dressfertilizers if there are suitable machines.