Hey folks! I'm planning to set up some lattice for my plants, and I'm thinking of using fence posts to secure it. I haven't worked with fence posts before, so I'm wondering if I need to rent a post hole drill to sink them into the ground. Should I also be using concrete to hold them in place? Any advice is appreciated!
3 Answers
I’d suggest using wood posts, and whether you go for a manual posthole digger or rent a gas one really depends on how many holes you need. If the ground’s tough, a powered digger will save you some effort. For depth, consider the soil conditions and how windy it might get. Instead of mixing wet concrete, try pouring dry concrete into the hole around the post and tamping it down. That way it can set without needing to brace the post for ages!
For lighter applications, I’ve used fence post spikes—just hammer them into the ground and screw a 4x4 to them. Just a heads-up, the hammering might rotate the post, so be prepared to adjust it as you go!
If you’re just putting in a simple lattice that's around 4 feet tall and 8 feet wide, you might not need a post hole digger. I've had success just pounding in rebar with a hammer. You can also use cattle pickets—those white-topped green ones—and a picket pounder. It all depends on how sturdy you want your lattice to be!