Hey there! I'm planning to install some 16-foot posts about 8 feet apart, and I want to create a lattice for a passion vine to climb. I was wondering if it's possible to set these posts 3 feet deep instead of the usual 5 feet. Also, I'm not keen on using concrete. Any ideas or suggestions?
1 Answer
Setting 16-foot posts only 3 feet deep might not give you the stability you're hoping for. Generally, deeper is better to avoid leaning or even toppling over, especially with taller posts. There's an old rule of thumb that suggests at least 10% of the height plus an additional 24 inches, which would be around 43 inches for your setup. Don't forget to check local frost lines too!
Makes sense. So it sounds like around 4 feet would be a minimum, huh?