Wow - I love how generous you are about sharing your knowledge and experience with us all and your use of the word "salt" is a great description of how to use Osmocote when you shake it from the container. In my two acre garden I also just shake out the Osmocote granules around my plants without measuring with a scooper. The plants take just what they need and the slow release formula means I don't have to worry that I will overfeed and burn the plants with too much fertilizer. I also live in the country with a well for our water. To keep excess nitrates out of our well water I prefer the ease and safety of a slow release plant food - and I also have a degree in Horticulture but only 40 years of gardening experience. Thanks for sharing.  Keep growing, Marianne Binetti