When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Chicago
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Chicago's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 28 – Apr 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 17 – Jul 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 31 – Sep 25
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Chicago's 206-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Chicago's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
APR 10
OCT 31
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Chicago?
Direct-sow around mid June (Jun 17–Jul 8) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Chicago?
Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 31–Sep 25) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Chicago?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Chicago?
Transplant outdoors around mid June (Jun 17–Jul 8) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Chicago?
Chicago has roughly 206 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Chicago's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.