Ook wrote:
I know I'm beating a dead dog here, but I find myself unclear about
the pros/cons of setting fence posts in dirt, gravel, or concrete.
More specifically, I'm undecided about which way to go. I need some
input from those who have done this. I'm mostly interested in what is
strong and what will last the longest. I don't want to have to dig
them all out 10 years from now and be stuck with these big concrete
chunks.
Dirt: easiest to do, may not be the strongest. It rains a lot here, 9
months out of the year, so I'm concerned about the constant contact
with wet soil.
Gravel. Some recently suggested. Cheaper and easier then concrete,
gravel drains water from post. Stronger then just dirt, post may last
longer. Gravel drains water from post.

Concrete. More work. Strongest. Post in contact with concrete may
still rot out in 10 years. Difficult to replace.

Metal posts in concrete will last indefinitely (or 75 years, whichever comes
first). Mine have lasted 42 years and they make even better metal posts
today than they did in the '60s.

1. Dig hole (it can be a lot smaller than if you were using 4x4).
2. Put a rock in bottom.
3. Set post in hole - make it straight.
4. Fill hole with water.
5. Slowly dump in a bag of concrete.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for each post.