Our sometimes green pasture isn't green at all in December. But, it is a pasture best used for grazing animals and thus regain our agricultural tax status. To do this requires fencing around the entire property and although three sides are fenced, the front is open. So, to put the property into working order, our project over the Christmas break is to install the fence across the front.
We rented an auger with a 6 inch bit and took turns riding the beast into the hole. Here is Melissa and Inge taking their turn. Because it hasn't rained since September, the soil is very dry and hard, which means a lot of grunting and straining to get it going. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any rocks. These augers don't have diamond bits for drilling through rocks.
After dropping the post into the hole I work to make sure it's seated. Then we back-fill dirt and tamp the dirt to compact it next to the post to make it firm. Farm fence installation doesn't require concrete if the dirt is thoroughly tamped and packed in next to the post. Melissa asked for a turn tamping dirt.
Here we are, after four hours of work with two posts installed and two holes dug about half-way. We were too worn by the shaking, twisting power auger to dig any more.
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