www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

I'm gonna replace my garden fence next week and have had all the materials delivered today including concrete posts. I was chatting to the guy delivering them and he said I should dig the holes 3 foot deep and only a couple of inches wider than the posts. Is this correct as it sounds very difficult digging such deep narrow holes. Will one of them manual post hole augers be any good?
Cheers
Matt

How many post holes do you have to dig, please?
If you have quite a few you might do well to consider hiring a petrol engine driven auger.

How long are the posts? Generally you dig the posts in to bring the tops level after the gravel board and panel height have been calculated. If you are replacing an old fence then dig new holes half a panel in so you are staggering down the fence line to miss the original post holes which would be a pain to dig out. Dig a hole and wedge the post up with hardcore or broken bricks. Pour a bucket of water in and then a bag of Postcrete. If you assemble the fence as you go then prop the fence both sides until the concrete is hardened off.

The three foot suggestion seems a bit deep but that is why the guy is driving the lorry I guess.

DWD

The fence is replacing loads of bushes, I've got 13 posts to put up with rails and boards not fence panels. I don't fancy hiring anything for this but just been looking at them post hole diggers that scoop the soil out as you dig. Will these be any good for this?

Matty

Riley.rocks wrote:The fence is replacing loads of bushes, I've got 13 posts to put up with rails and boards not fence panels. I don't fancy hiring anything for this but just been looking at them post hole diggers that scoop the soil out as you dig. Will these be any good for this?

Matty

They are great. A trench spade is also good for this.

So how wide and deep do you recommend for these posts?

Cheers
Matty

Two foot into the ground is considered to be adequate for an 8'0" post and a 6'0" fence.

The hole doesn't need to be massively wide, if you use ordinary gardening equipment it will end up plenty wide enough. A trenching spade is the ideal tool, the hole will be smaller, take less time and effort to dig and use less concrete.

I've never used a post hole auger (I've always tried to stay away from fencing) so can't comment on their effectiveness, but I guess it depends to a certain extent on the ground.

OK thanks. One other thing, how many bags of postcrete should I use per post?

Matty

Riley.rocks wrote:OK thanks. One other thing, how many bags of postcrete should I use per post?

Matty

One is ample,don't use any less tho and keep the holes nice and neat.

This may help http://www.pavingexpert.com/featur02.htm

Mike

I'll 2nd that link - a really good site.