i have developed a little theory over the years with regards to the use of concrete “footings” to secure fence posts or clothes line poles. it’s completely unecessary in almost all cases. that’s right, if you sink the posts down deep enough ( 2-3 feet ), you don’t have to worry about frost heaves shifting the posts, which is what most people claim they are trying to prevent with concrete. no, i think that it’s a convenient “myth” that has developed because it’s far easier to put in a post and throw in some quick drying concrete than it is to slowly add dirt and tamp away until your shoulders feel like they are going to fall off.

i guess there are probably those kind of people in the world who don’t really care that they’re making their lives easier at the expense of somebody down the road who has to dig out the stuff. would they change their mind if they knew that concrete decreases the life of the post by half. probably not, because they probably know they’ll have moved by then and can leave the prematurely rotted posts and heavy as all-get-out concrete mess for the next homeowner!

bastages.