Pansies – Nitrate Fertilizer Use?

Q: I’ve heard that nitrate fertilizer is good for pansies in winter. I used Miracle Gro at planting but am hunting nitrate fertilizer.

A: The only product I’m aware of is Osmocote 19-6-12 slow release fertilizer. It contains 9% nitrate nitrogen. As you point out, roots growing in cold soil absorb nitrate nitrogen much better than urea or ammonium nitrogen.