Osmocote is a manufactured product -- it contains no animal waste (animal waste is inconsistent and frequently contains only nitrogen). Nutrients are carefully blended into exact proportions, liquified and then blown from a nozzle in a tower. The resulting droplets become nearly perfect little spheres. When they reach the bottom of the tower, the droplets have cooled. We call the solid particles, \'prills\'. Prills are coated with a derivative of linseed oil to become Osmocote granules. One of the things that makes Osmocote special is this coating. It allows moisture to penetrate the prill and form a slurry of nutrition inside the granule. Nutritional release into the soil occurs by the process of osmosis. Nutrition is released at the same rate the plant\'s root system pulls nutrients out of the soil. And, because the granules are near-perfect spheres, nutrient release occurs evenly in all directions. No excessive nitrogen. No chemical \'burn\'. Just even, consistent feeding, for up to six months. All in all, a pretty amazing product. Thanks for the opportunity to explain the wonders of Osmocote. Keep growing!