Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Dantheman on November 10, 2018, 21:25

Title: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Dantheman on November 10, 2018, 21:25
HI Guys and Girls,

I've a question for you all, hows the best way of putting in fence post  without using concrete or cement?  Ideally I want the posts to last as long possible without rotting.  My allotment site has added no use of cement or concrete on our site this year. 

Thanks in advance.

Dan
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Pescador on November 11, 2018, 07:14
Sabrefix Fence Post Spikes from Screwfix should do it.
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Dantheman on November 11, 2018, 20:52
Hi,

I did look at these but it would cost me £200 as I'm building a fruit cage what makes it worse over the last few months I've been buying ready made post mix bag.  Now the rule has come in  :(
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Veg Plot 1B on November 12, 2018, 08:18
Wonder if scaffold pole would be good they would not rot, but may be drilling into them would be difficult?
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: rowlandwells on November 13, 2018, 18:24
although we mainly use concrete mix when fencing I have  used concrete stays with a concrete mix and bolt the wooden post's to them cost's a little extra takes a little longer but lasts for many years well worth the extra  ;)


you could use met post's there the ones you bolt  the bottom of the post and knock the post in ground with a sledge hammer I found the advantage with using those was I could move them around to another site if needed also use them for my runner beans  :D
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: DanielCoffey on November 13, 2018, 19:42
I did see a video from the US where a chap was building and putting in his own wooden mailbox post. He drilled a 3/4" hole down into the fence post just above the ground level, poured liquid creosote into the cavity, whittled a wooden peg to fit and tapped it in. Apparently the creosote soaks out over a couple of seasons and all you have to do is top it up every now and then.

Any use?
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: grinling on November 15, 2018, 21:54
How big an area is your fruit cage? How are you planning on making it. I used screwfix for a fence but used smaller posts.
Biggest problems with fruit cages are snow on the top.
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on November 15, 2018, 22:24
How about not sinking the posts into the ground but to build a large rectanglular frame and weigh the base down with pegs, sand bags or concrete slabs? This works as the netting doesn't catch the wind and lift the frame away so it doesn't need to be too secure.
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: Dantheman on November 19, 2018, 15:41
How big an area is your fruit cage? How are you planning on making it. I used screwfix for a fence but used smaller posts.
Biggest problems with fruit cages are snow on the top.

It's big 48' long varies in width. 13' to 18' in places.  Thought about using wood or heras fencing. so two designs.
Title: Re: Fixing fence posts
Post by: grinling on November 19, 2018, 19:11
That is a lot of cage!!
Fruit cages do not need very thick supports, so concrete should not be needed. I was going to suggest scaffold poles, but metal thefts!!
Alternative could be commercial polytunnel with netting or ex commercial greenhouse.

Commercial fruit farms use smaller cages which are dismantled. Sections with netting.