Home › Watermelon › Grow in Illinois

Can You Grow Watermelon in Illinois?

US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a

Grows well here

Watermelons thrive here — they love the long warm season your zone provides.

Plant zones

4b–11b

Illinois last frost

early April

Illinois first frost

late October

Days to harvest

70–90 days

When to plant Watermelons in Illinois

Start indoors

Mar 10

Transplant

Apr 7

Harvest

Jun 16 – Jul 6

Dates are approximate, based on Illinois's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Watermelon

Watermelons love heat space and sun — they are a rewarding crop but need a long warm season.

Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Transplant carefully — watermelons hate root disturbance. Give them maximum space. Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Choose icebox varieties for containers.

Full watermelon growing guide →

Gardening in Illinois

Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Chicago is Zone 5b-6a; southern Illinois is warmer at Zone 6-7. Classic Midwest growing region.