Worm Gruntin

Worm Gruntin, worm grunting, worm fiddling, worm charming, and worm harvesting are all names for worm harvesting by coaxing worms out of the ground. It is practiced by inserting a wooden stake in the ground, hammering it down tight with a piece of serrated flat iron, and then sawing across the top of the stake with the ridged metal bar.

The fiddling motion of the ribbed bar creates an interesting sound and apparently sets up vibrations in the ground that drive earth worms not just to the surface but out on top of the ground where they can easily be harvested. It is thought that the vibrations are similar to those caused by a digging mole which would feed on the worms. The worms mistake the vibrations for those of an approaching mole and escape their burrows quickly, feeling that being exposed on the surface is preferable to trying to out-dig a mole. It has been discovered that other predators create vibrations to drive worms to the surface.

Wet but not overly saturated soil is a basic requirement for success in worm grunting. Worms flee from dry soil into damper soil, but they will drown in overly saturated dirt. Veteran worm harvesters can easily determine the best areas to harvest worms.

The worms are typically used for fishing bait, but having gained increasing popularity amongst gardeners they are now used as additives to the garden. Worm farming produces worm castings that are sold as premium fertilizer. Earthworms are also being frequently sold to supply worm composters with the main ingredient. Worm composting also produces great worm castings as well as a team that can provide foliar fertilizer.

While the self-proclaimed capital of worm charming is Shopchoppy, Florida where the annual Worm Gruntin Festival is held, the World Worm Charming Championship takes place annually in Great Britain. The current world record is held by a 10-year old who raised 567 worms in 2009.