I finally figured out a way to set posts in pure clay without a machine

Had a job out near Mill Creek where the ground is basically solid red clay. My usual method with the post hole digger was just tearing up my shoulders and taking forever, maybe 20 minutes a post. I was about ready to rent a power auger, but then I remembered something an old timer said about using water. I took my garden sprayer, filled it up, and just kept spraying the hole as I dug. The water turned the clay into mud, and the digger went right through it. Cut my time down to like 5 minutes a hole. It was messy, but it worked. Has anyone else had to get creative in awful soil like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaret_nelson1mo agoTop Commenter

Wait, you actually used a garden sprayer for that?

tylerw723mo ago

Nice, that water trick is a lifesaver. For the really stubborn spots, I've had good luck mixing a little dish soap into the sprayer to break the surface tension. Makes the mud even slicker and the post slides right in.

the_james3mo ago

Oh that's a great add from @tylerw72. I've used the water trick for years but never thought to add soap. Makes total sense to cut the surface tension. Gonna try that next time I'm setting posts in our heavy clay.