The behavior of the polymer coating on slow-release fertilizers, such as Excalibur, can vary depending on its application and placement. When the fertilizer pellets are in direct contact with the soil, the portion of the coating that touches the soil tends to dissolve over time. This is due to the presence of soil moisture and microbial activity. However, if the fertilizer pellets are placed on top of the soil, the polymer coating can be dried out by the sun, causing it to remain intact even after the nutrients inside have been released. This can be misleading as it may appear that the fertilizer has not been used when, in reality, only the empty shell is left behind. You can verify this by gently pressing a pellet between your fingers – if it crumbles easily, it means that the nutrients have already been released into the soil.