How to Dig with a Post Hole Digger

Digging a hole with a post digger is a lot of exercise, but it is necessary if you want to set posts for fencing, gates, mailboxes or any other garden structures. The concept is to drop the post hole digger and let the scooping blades do the work. Here is some information on how to dig with a post hole digger.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Posthole dig
• gloves
• boots

1. The softer the soil, the better. You may want to moisten hard clay soils to loosen them up a bit before starting to dig with a post hole digger.

2. Mark the center of the hole, which is where you will start. Stand directly over the hole with your feet spread apart at about shoulder width. Make sure you are reasonably balanced and comfortable.

3. Hold both hands around the two handles of the post hole digger tool. If you hold a hand around the top of each handle you will not only get less power into your plunge, but you can get your fingers or hand caught between the two wooden handles.

4. Poise your post hole digger just over the marked center of where the hole will be and drop the post hole digger onto the spot as heavily as you can. Then pull the handles apart and scoop out the loosened soil. Repeat this until you have a hole the size you need.

5. If you hit a hard spot or a rock, try turning the post hole digger to land at a different angle. A big rock may have to be dug out by hand.

6. For more instructions and a video on how to dig with a post hole digger, please check the links provided under Resources.

Resources

• About.com post hole digger video
• Using a post hole digger
• Buy a post hole digger

[hellow99]

on 2/16/2009 I need this for spring! 5* Fav Rec