How to Dig Fence Post Holes

If you are looking for an easy and accurate way to dig fence post holes, our thorough article is here to help! Before you start digging make sure you have the right tools. We recommend you use a shovel, a spade – the long narrow blade can get deeper in the ground, a digging bar and a clamshell digger for best results.

Digging fence post holes

String a line on the outside edges where your fence would be and drive stakes to mark where the centre of each post hole would be.
Pro tip: mark the centres on the line by twisting it and pushing a nail through the strands.
Dig a hole around the stake to estimate the centre.
Pro tip: Use the spade for more accuracy.
Loosen the soil using a tile shovel, chisel away at the sides. Little roots will be easily cut through by it.
Use the clamshell digger for the hole.
Use a digging/steel bar to jar any rocks free, then use the clamshell digger to lift them out.
Before placing fence posts or pouring concrete, compact the earth with the digger bar's tamper end.
Pro tip: This prevents any settling.
Place markers at the post edges. Once again determine the post spacing and mark the stringline.
Position the fencing posts.