Putting in Posts/plant supports etc

[peanut]

Ok, I need to put in some posts so that i can attach mesh or chicken wire to fence off my veggies.
Do I need to cement them in or can I dig a hole and back fill firmly?

I also want to put in 8ft posts sunk 2ft in the ground to connect wires to so I can train Berries along them. Do these need to be cemented because they're bigger or as they'll be 2ft in will they be ok?

The idea of cementing etc scares me!!!

Wasn't sure where to put this post so apologies if it's on the wrong board

Thanks in advance

[deezyb]

hi peanut...I got a fence put up a couple of years ago by my ex...and he's no expert with concrete etc...he got the ready mix stuff that sets really quickly and it was a great job he did (even though I hate to admit it!!! )

I think the posts I've got are 7-8ft, and about 18" in the ground...still used the quicky set concrete, sturdy as anything!

Hope this helps.

D

[rustylady]

An alternative to concreting or digging into the ground could be Metposts. Available from your local DIY store, they are metal thingys with a bit at the top that your posts fits in, and a long metal spike at the bottom that goes into the ground. Sorry about the technical nature of the description - I'm a girl!! Google Metposts.

[Snadger]

I put posts in to take wires for my raspberry canes. Mine were 4 inch square posts about 8 foot long. I just dug 2 foot deep holes and, put the posts in, backfilled them with soil whilst squaring them up.
I then put diagonal posts in at about 45 degrees which came about 3 foot up the vertical post where i put a small notch to take them. These were dug in at the bottom and nailed into the notch. They only need to be on the inside of each end post and when the straining wires were added it finished up a very solid job. This was three years ago and they're still there and functioning on my previous allotment!

[Two_Sheds]

If you just put wood into the soil, it will eventually rot. Metposts are ace, a bit pricey but possibly cheaper than replacing your entire fencing system every few years.

[HeyWayne]

My fence posts were treated, double treated and then given a bit more. They were old pallets in a former life, Dad and I trimmed the ends into sharp points then drove them into the ground using a chuffin great sledgehammer (being careful not to split the wood). They were driven a couple of feet in, and then we compacted the ground around them using the top of the sledge hammer.

Corners were supported by 45 degree posts bolted to the uprights. We then ran bull wire around teh top of the chicken wire and it was pulled tight - I reckon I could walk on the wire if I could tight rope walk.

They ain't going nowhere for a while yet!

[Flummery]

This all depends on the degree of stickiness of your soil of course. Sandy stuff won't hold as well as a bit of good clay. In this case, Post Mix does the trick. Pour it in dry and then tamo the earth down around it. It takes up moisture from the soil and sets hard. I think some varieties or brands you have to water, some you don't. As always, read the pack!

[peanut]

Thanks folks, i'll be a brave girl and have a go!