Talking to an old timer yesterday made me rethink my post hole digger method

I was out on a job in rural Ohio and an 80 year old farmer came over to chat. He told me I was digging too fast and missing the hardpan layer that'll rot the posts later. He showed me how he soaks the ground first and takes it slow, and honestly I've never had a post stay straight like that. Has anyone else gotten advice that totally flipped how you do a basic step?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimblack21d agoMost Upvoted

Gosh, I read an article about soil types that made me rethink everything I do. It said hardpan can turn into concrete basically after it dries out, so wetting it down first is a game changer. I've been slower and more careful ever since and it really does make a difference.

wade_anderson21d ago

Three days of wetting my garden and @kimblack still thinks I’m crazy. Worth it though.

zarat3721d ago

Kim you just saved me from ruining another planting season. Been fighting that rock hard soil for years and never connected the dots on wetting it down first. Tried it yesterday after reading this and the difference was night and day. My back is already thanking me.