Home / Planting dates / Watermelon / Northern Illinois
Watermelon planting and harvest datesWatermelon Planting Dates in Northern Illinois
Usual watermelon planting periods in Northern 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 24 to July 1 | 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 | Planting window in July |
What these dates mean in Northern Illinois
Planting usually runs about 39 days, from May 24 to Jul 1.
That start date is about 23 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 Northern 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 Illinois
- Central Missouri
- Columbia and Snake River valleys, Oregon
- Minnesota
- North Florida
- North Missouri
- South Florida
- South Missouri
- Southern Illinois
- Western valleys (Portland, Roseburg, Medford), Oregon
Other crops in Northern 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).