Eigenvector wrote:

Ehh, maybe that's the best thing to do after all. A bag of concrete
or two, plastic pipe + cap and not mess with the meter at all. I
guess I need to call the gas company and have them locate the pipes
before I dig, it would be ironic if I punctured the gas lines trying
to dig a hole to install a protective post for the meter.

Plastic pipe might work, but only if you filled it with concrete first.