It is always important to read and follow the instructions on the label for any plant food. For Osmocote the recommendations are 3 tablespoons (that would be one capful if you purchase the 2 lb bottle) for each 2 gallon pot or for each 4 sq. ft. of garden space. If you are feeding indoor plants use half this rate as indoor plants do not grow as quickly. So for a one gallon container outdoors you would use half a capful of Osmocote   or  1.5 tablespoons if you don't have a cap to measure with. Some other tips are to work the granules into the top 1- 3 inches of soil after application and water regularly. Reapply every 6 months when plants are growing. In my experience using a bit more or a bit less or just mixing the Osmocote into the soil at planting time in a general guess does not harm the plants at all. This is because a slow release plant food like Osmocote will not "burn" the plants by flooding the roots with too much nitrogen. The product releases slowly as the plants need it and is released as the soil warms up. I like to use the shaker top on the fertilizer bottle and just shake the pellets on top of the soil so that there is some space, maybe half in inch between each pellet. Then work this into the soil before adding your new plants or seeds. I hope this helps you to worry less and enjoy your garden more when feeding your plants. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti