FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30, then transplant outdoors May 4 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Granite City and as late as May 15 in Roscoe.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.

Cantaloupe Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ChicagoMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
AuroraMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
RockfordMar 27 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
JolietMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
NapervilleMar 31 – Apr 7May 12 – May 19
PeoriaMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
SpringfieldMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
North PeoriaMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
ElginMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
WaukeganApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21
ChampaignMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
CiceroMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
BloomingtonMar 24 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
Arlington HeightsMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
EvanstonMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
SchaumburgApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21
BolingbrookMar 23 – Mar 30May 4 – May 11
DecaturMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
PalatineMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
SkokieMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
Des PlainesMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
Orland ParkMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
Tinley ParkMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
Oak LawnMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
BerwynMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
Mount ProspectMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
NormalMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
WheatonMar 31 – Apr 7May 12 – May 19
Oak ParkMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
Hoffman EstatesApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 23 – Mar 30, then transplant outdoors May 4 – May 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Granite City and as late as May 15 in Roscoe.

When is the last frost in Illinois?

The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cantaloupe take to grow?

Cantaloupe typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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