Home / Planting dates / Watermelon / Central Illinois
Watermelon planting and harvest datesWatermelon Planting Dates in Central Illinois
Usual watermelon planting periods in Central Illinois, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.
| Activity | Window | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | May 10 to June 15 | source | 2026-11-11 |
| Item | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | Planting window in May | Planting window in June |
What these dates mean in Central Illinois
Planting usually runs about 37 days, from May 10 to Jun 15.
That start date is about 9 days later than the middle of the 10 places in this data set that report watermelon planting dates (May 1).
Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for Central Illinois. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Planting dates are a general guide; frost dates and local conditions vary. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.
Related guides
Watermelon dates in other places
- Arkansas
- Central Florida
- Central Missouri
- Columbia and Snake River valleys, Oregon
- Minnesota
- North Florida
- North Missouri
- Northern Illinois
- South Florida
- South Missouri
- Southern Illinois
- Western valleys (Portland, Roseburg, Medford), Oregon
Other crops in Central Illinois
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Bush Beans
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Chard
- Corn (home garden)
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Garlic
- Green onions (sets)
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Muskmelon
- Mustard
- Okra
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Pepper
- Pole Beans
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rhubarb
- Rutabaga
- Spinach
- Squash (summer)
- Squash (winter)
- Sweet Potato
- Tomato
- Turnip
Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: Illinois Extension - When to Plant (Home Vegetable Gardening).