On 9/14/2011 8:19 AM, MICHELLE H. wrote:
Just a quick question about installing fence posts. We would like to
have a 6 foot high, Cedar wooden stockade fence installed in our yard.
My question is, when putting in the fence posts for the wooden fence, do
the fence posts HAVE to be set in concrete? I know that most fence
companies do set the fence posts in concrete, about 2-3 feet below the
frost line.


I have read many mixed reviews about setting posts in concrete, because
when the posts rot out, it is a backbreaking effort to replace them
because you have to dig out and lift up the heavy concrete.


I have read, as well as heard from people, that it's actually better to
put the posts in a couple inches of 1 and 1/2 inch crushed rock or
gravel.


So, do you have to have the posts put in concrete, or can we opt. to go
with the crushed rock or gravel?



Thanks!



Michelle, there are many who would tell you that having good solid fence
posts that resist rot has much more to do with the phase of the moon
when the holes are dug and when the posts are set. The Farmer's Almanac
always gave specific advice:

http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=iw#hl=en&sugexp=gsis%2Ci18n%3Dtrue &cp=21&gs_id=3e&xhr=t&q=fence+post+moon+phases&pf= p&sclient=psy-ab&site=webhp&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=fence+post+moon+p hase&aq=0n&aqi=q-n1&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=d 5bc1e92224c5138&biw=839&bih=483