Due to additional strain, gate posts work better when installed in concrete.
Posts made entirely from durable heartwood. Western juniper, black locust, and Osage-orange are excellent choices. Pacific yew, redwood, and most cedar and white oak species can last 20+ years in most conditions. [1] X Research source Pressure-treated wood with about 1 inch (2. 5cm) sapwood surrounding a core of heartwood. Aspen, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and Douglas fir are suitable examples. Buy this from a trusted source to avoid poorly treated wood. Note — All lumber should be labeled as suitable for ground contact. Not all pressure-treated wood is intended for burial.
Bevel the top of the fence post to a 45º angle to encourage rain runoff, or plan on installing a post cap. [2] X Research source Treat the two ends with a non-water-based, brush-on wood preservative, such as copper naphthenate. Wood preservatives are toxic, so follow safety recommendations on the label. Apply multiple coats of the copper naphthenate and make sure to let it dry for 24 hours after each application.
Use a post hole digger to dig a straight-walled hole. If the soil is hard, cut through the sod with a shovel and/or let water soak into the dirt. Keep some dirt (or dirt mixed with gravel) nearby to backfill the hole.
You can use a wooden stick or broken wood tool handle as a tamping bar, or a piece of scrap lumber.
Make sure that you measure the distance between your posts to ensure that the top and bottom rails will fit.
Before each tamping, hold a level against the post and adjust until level. If you’d like to plant grass at the base of the post, use soil for the last couple inches (several cm), not gravel.
Power tools can be dangerous if the soil is rocky. You may need to use a clamshell digger instead, plus a long digging bar to lever out rocks. The width of the hole should be consistent the whole way down, not cone shaped.
To save effort, you can rent a portable concrete mixer or the services of a concrete truck. To save money, make your own concrete mix: 1 part Portland cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts coarse gravel, by volume. [7] X Research source Some fast-setting concrete mixes can be poured in dry, then mixed with water in the hole. These mixes tend to be weaker and more expensive, so speed comes at a high price. [8] X Research source Be careful not to make the concrete too runny. Add the water in small increments until the concrete comes off of the shovel easily.
Set a level on top of the post before the concrete dries to ensure it’s straight. [10] X Expert Source Mike GarciaLicensed Landscape Contractor Expert Interview. 20 November 2020.
