"Janet Tweedy" wrote in message
...
Not being a madly expert DIYer can anyone tell me the best way to put in
post and rail fencing so I can train clematis and possibly Chaenemole
along the length. It has to be in two 6 foot lengths or thereabouts with
a gap in the middle so I can access the path from the lawn.

I know how to put in 4x4 stuff using metposts but there aren't any round
alternatives to metposts.

Do I dig a hole first and then shove the post in or backfill with bits
of stone etc like the post for the washing line? Posts will be about 6
foot above the ground, so how much needs to be below?

I recently hired a petrol powered post hole boring machine to make holes for
some 3" diameter posts supporting new trees. It made short work of the holes
but was quite a bit of a beast to use (we have clay soil with stones). You
drill down a bit then lift it out and clean off the soil. Don't just let it
drill itself all the way in or you won't be able to lift it out. There is no
reverse gear. Might be better to go for the "two man" version rather than
the "one man" that I had - easier to pull out. They come with a selection of
drill bits but you want one that's a close match to diameter as your posts
so no back fill. I'd go down around 3 foot. I think I'd put in three posts
per 6 foot length.

http://www.aplant.com/catalogue.aspx?id1=111016

http://www.aplant.com/catalogue.aspx?id1=111018

Most hire places have a day rate or a special rate for weekends.

If you dig by hand back fill with gravel rather than soil. You could use
concrete but it's harder to get them out again in the future. If using
concrete slightly over fill and slope the top so water runs away from the
post.