With the turf removed, a long-handled shovel does a good job of removing the dirt. Dig with the blade plumb and the handle pushed forward to keep the walls of the hole straight up and down.

What to use to dig holes for fence posts?

You can use a post hole digger or power auger to dig the hole. A post hole digger is a manual tool and will get the job done in average soil. If you have hard, rocky soil or a lot of roots – you may want to opt for a power auger.

How do you dig a fence post hole without an auger?

How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips

1. Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. ...
2. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. ...
3. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. ...
4. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. ...
5. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. ...
6. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. ...
7. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.

How deep can you dig with a shovel?

A typical shovel can dig 10 inches of soil if you dig to the full depth of the shovel blade. A typical garden rototiller, on the other hand has tines that go down about 7 to 8 inches (depending on the setting of the drag bar).

How hard is it to dig fence posts?

Post hole diggers have a maximum effective depth of about 3/4 of their handle length, so a five foot pair will dig about 3 1/2 half deep. Very hard earth like clay is extremely difficult to dig with a manual pair of post hole diggers. A rock bar may work on dry clay.

Post Hole Digger Showdown!

Is it easier to dig wet or dry soil?

Soil that's turned over when wet will form clods that will be very difficult to break apart later, Trinklein said. This is because wet soil is more easily compacted than dry soil. He recommends the “baseball test” before you start digging.

Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?

The minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for panel sections is 2 feet. A general formula is to dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post's aboveground height. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has, but you must also purchase longer posts.

Do fence posts need cement?

No, fence posts don't need to be set in concrete, and there are plenty of other ways to fix your posts if this feels a bit too permanent. If you are using wooden posts, concrete may actually be the worst option.

How long does it take to dig a fence post hole?

Post Hole Digging Tools

In such soil, it can dig a 4-foot-deep hole that is the perfect size for a fence post in a matter of minutes.

How deep should a 7 foot fence post be?

How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you'll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.

Is a post hole digger worth it?

While that won't make a lot of difference if you have loamy, soft soil to begin with, for those who have hard-packed clay soils it certainly does. If your soil is very solid, or has a lot of rocks, a post hole digger is an essential tool to have.

Do manual post hole diggers work?

For most people, the choice comes down to the type of soil they have to dig. Loose soil can usually be handled easily with a manual post hole digger. This will save you the cost of hiring and fuelling a power tool, especially if you don't have many holes to dig.

How long does it take to dig a 6 foot hole with a shovel?

Manual excavation standard output rate for excavating in medium soil for trenches 4 to 6 feet deep: 0.54 cy per hour. Therefore, (0.50 x 1)/0.54 = 0.93 hours. It takes 0.93 hours (56 minutes) to dig 0.50 cubic yards of earth in medium soil (sandy clay, loam, silty clay, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam etc).

How deep can I dig before calling 811?

There is no allotted depth before a person needs to call 811. Whether you are just planting small shrubs or installing fences, CGA says any time you are putting a shovel in the ground you need to call due to the fact that many utilities are buried just a few inches below the surface.

How do you dig holes in a concrete fence post?

​Draw a circle around that hole to mark the outside circumference of the circle you're going to excavate. Step 2: ​Drill holes around and along the circumference, spaced an inch or two apart. Drill some more holes throughout the middle area of the circle.