FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Apr 2 – Apr 9, then transplant outdoors May 14 – May 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 3 in Kenosha and as late as May 25 in Merrill.

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

Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Watermelon Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
MilwaukeeMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
MadisonApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
Green BayApr 9 – Apr 16May 21 – May 28
KenoshaMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
RacineMar 23 – Mar 30May 4 – May 11
AppletonApr 6 – Apr 13May 18 – May 25
WaukeshaApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
Eau ClaireMar 27 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
OshkoshMar 27 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
JanesvilleMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
West AllisMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
La CrosseMar 30 – Apr 6May 11 – May 18
North La CrosseMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
SheboyganMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
WauwatosaMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
Fond du LacMar 30 – Apr 6May 11 – May 18
New BerlinApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
WausauApr 8 – Apr 15May 20 – May 27
BrookfieldApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21
GreenfieldApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
BeloitApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
FranklinApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
Menomonee FallsApr 8 – Apr 15May 20 – May 27
Oak CreekMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
ManitowocApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21
Sun PrairieApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
West BendApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
FitchburgApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
Stevens PointApr 6 – Apr 13May 18 – May 25
SuperiorApr 8 – Apr 15May 20 – May 27

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Apr 2 – Apr 9, then transplant outdoors May 14 – May 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as May 3 in Kenosha and as late as May 25 in Merrill.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do watermelon take to grow?

Watermelon typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Wisconsin

When to plant watermelon in other states

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