Great taste and early maturity make Earlichamp a must for short season climates. The short crop time is also a bonus for cantaloupe lovers in warmer areas. So, this 4 - 5 lb. melon is a blessing for all home gardeners! Its combination of very early maturity and great flavor has eluded breeders until now. (Grocery store melons are bred for their long shelf life and durability for shipping. You can grow this sweeter, better tasting variety right at home.) Note: What we call cantaloupes are really muskmelons. True cantaloupes are a hard-shelled melon from Europe. (Earlichamp is very similar to the Earligold variety.)