Alto grows rapidly and reaches approximately 75 days after transplanting, allowing harvest in summer or early autumn. It forms more slender uniform cylindrical shanks than many overwintering types. Catalogues describe it as poorly suited to severe winters, so harvest within its production window rather than relying on long storage in a snow-covered garden.
Sale
Sold out
Organic Bulgarian open-pollinated summer leek
Amaryllidaceae
Organic leek seeds
Organic summer ‘Alto’ leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ‘Alto’)
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ‘Alto’
Alto is a fast organic Bulgarian open-pollinated summer leek with long slender uniform cylindrical white shanks and upright green foliage.
Quantity
About 100 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Genus
Allium
Species
ampeloprasum
Cultivar
Alto
Type
Organic Bulgarian open-pollinated summer leek
Cycle
Biennial grown as an annual for its shank
Organic summer ‘Alto’ leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ‘Alto’) is a Bulgarian open-pollinated variety that is fast, uniform, and intended for summer and autumn harvest. It forms cylindrical long slender white shanks beneath upright rigid medium-green foliage. Closely spaced young plants may be harvested as fine baby leeks while wider spacing gives larger plants. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 100 organic open-pollinated non-heirloom seeds, height of 60–90 cm, and maturity near 75 days after transplanting.
Sow indoors February through April, approximately six to twelve weeks before planting, 0.5–1 cm deep. Maintain 18–24°C and even moisture; emergence generally takes 10–16 days. Provide abundant light, then transplant sturdy plants into full sun and deep fertile compost-rich well-drained soil. Set each plant in a deep hole or furrow without immediately filling the entire cavity; irrigation and gradual earthing-up encourage a longer white shank without packing soil between leaves.
Harvest Alto from approximately 75 days after transplanting once shanks reach the desired diameter. Loosen soil with a fork before lifting and wash carefully between leaf sheaths. Refined flavour suits baby leeks served raw or lightly cooked as well as soups, quiches, stir-fries, braises, and gratins. Alto is a summer leek not intended for severe overwintering. West Coast Seeds mentions good general tolerance to foliar diseases without naming a specific guaranteed resistance for this lot.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 5 to 15 cm between plants according to desired size; 30 to 45 cm between rows
Establishment temperature
18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) in the workbook; 10 to 25°C acceptable in references
Establishment time
Approximately 10 to 16 days
Best planting time
February through April indoors; transplant in spring
Propagation
Indoor sowing followed by transplanting
Growing method
Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in fine mix February through April. Maintain 18–24°C and even moisture until emergence in 10–16 days, then provide strong light. Once plants are sturdy and approximately 15–20 cm tall, harden and transplant into full sun in deep holes or furrows. Space 5–15 cm according to desired size. Water deeply, keep soil cool, weed, and earth up gradually without dropping soil between leaves. Harvest near 75 days or earlier as baby leeks.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
-15°C (5°F)
Watering
Keep seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination, then maintain cool soil throughout growth. After transplanting water deeply so moisture reaches roots and repeat once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Leeks slow and toughen under drought while prolonged saturation promotes rot. Water at soil level in the morning, mulch once plants establish, and follow earthing-up with irrigation that gently settles soil. In containers check daily during heat without leaving standing water.
Soil type
Prepare deep loose fertile well-drained soil enriched with mature compost before transplanting. Leeks appreciate slightly acidic to neutral pH around 6.0–7.0 and a structure that retains moisture without becoming compacted or waterlogged. Remove stones that distort shanks. For a longer white section plant in deep furrows or holes and gradually draw soil around the sheaths without dropping it between leaves. Avoid beds recently occupied by other Allium where soil disease occurred and use a three- to four-year rotation.
Fertilization
Incorporate a generous amount of mature compost before planting because leeks grow for many weeks and require more nutrition than peas. Then use balanced organic fertilizer according to a soil test or label. Moderate nitrogen during growth may support foliage and shank thickening, but avoid heavy late applications that produce soft tissue and favour disease. Split inputs instead of applying everything at once, water after feeding, and never place concentrated product against roots or inside the leaf heart.
Seasonal care
In spring keep seedlings under strong light, lightly trim long leaves if they flop, and harden gradually. Transplant into deep holes, water, and weed regularly. In summer maintain cool soil, mulch, and earth up in small stages to blanch shanks. Monitor leek moth, allium leaf miner, thrips, rust, and rots. Harvest progressively; do not rely on Alto to survive a severe Quebec winter.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
20 to 30 L (5 to 8 gal), deep container
Use a 20–30 L container at least 30–40 cm deep with numerous drainage holes. Fill it with stable compost-rich free-draining mix. Transplant young leeks into deep holes with leaves above the surface and space according to desired size. Gradually add a little soil around shanks to blanch them without dropping it into the heart. Place the container in full sun, maintain even moisture, and feed moderately. A deep box can provide a small crop of slender leeks on a balcony or patio.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Greenish white to pinkish depending on conditions
Foliage color
Medium green
Foliage type
Herbaceous, upright, and strap-like
Growth rate
Fast for a leek
Bloom period
Large spherical umbel in the second year if the plant is not harvested
Fruiting
No harvested fruit; the culinary portion is the shank formed by leaf sheaths
Harvest
Harvest from approximately 75 days after transplanting once shanks reach the desired diameter. For baby leeks begin earlier and progressively thin the row. In loose soil grasp low and pull gently; otherwise lift with a fork to avoid breaking the shank. Shake off soil, trim roots without cutting the base, and wash carefully between sheaths. Promptly keep sound leeks cool and discard any that are soft, slimy, rotten, or abnormal-smelling.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Beetroot, carrot, strawberry, lettuce, tomato
Avoid planting with
Beans, peas
Baby leeks, soups, quiches, stir-fries, braises, gratins, and vinaigrettes
From the garden to inspiration.
Alto leeks vinaigrette — Clean young shanks carefully and rinse between sheaths. Steam gently or simmer until tender, then drain. Serve warm with mustard vinaigrette, herbs, and a little chopped hard-boiled egg if desired. Do not leave cooked leeks at room temperature longer than two hours; refrigerate leftovers promptly in a clean container.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Sow indoors February through April, six to twelve weeks before planting. Place seed 0.5–1 cm deep, maintain 18–24°C, and keep mix moist; emergence takes approximately 10–16 days. Transplant in spring once plants are sturdy and hardened. Set them in deep holes or furrows in full sun, water, and gradually fill around shanks.
Transplant into deep holes or furrows with foliage above soil. Do not immediately fill the entire cavity: let irrigation settle soil, then gradually draw clean soil around sheaths as growth proceeds. Avoid dropping it into the heart where it becomes trapped. Opaque mulch or clean collars may also exclude light without smothering the plant.
Begin near 75 days after transplanting or earlier for baby leeks. Harvest once shanks reach the diameter suited to your recipe, remain firm, and carry healthy foliage. Loosen soil with a fork before pulling to avoid breaking the base. Wash carefully between sheaths. Since Alto is not intended for severe overwintering, finish harvest before hard cold.
West Coast Seeds mentions good general tolerance to foliar diseases but names no specific resistance, so Alto should not be presented as immune. Rotate away from other Allium, space for airflow, water at soil level, and avoid prolonged wet foliage. Monitor rust, spots, rots, thrips, leek moth, and leaf miner, then promptly remove severely affected tissue.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
