DIY Ground Anchor for a Fence

Locate The Anchor Posts

• 1

  Mark the spots where the corner posts and gate posts are located along the fence line. These posts will serve as anchor posts.

• 2

  Measure every 60 feet from each corner post along the fence line and mark that spot for the next anchor post. Fence posts work best when placed no more than 12 feet apart with an anchor post located at every fifth post.

• 3

  Identify a spot for an anchor post located inside the fence perimeter, 4 feet away and directly across from each corner anchor post. The post inside the fence perimeter provides an additional brace for the corner anchor post when it is finished.

Prepare The Anchor Posts

• 4

  Select pressure treated wood posts that are 4-by-4 inches-thick and 9 feet long for the anchor posts. Sharpen one end of each wood post to a dull point with a hatchet.

• 5

  Mark each anchor post 4 feet up from the sharpened end, toward the top of the post, to indicate the depth at which you will sink the post into the ground.

• 6

  Drill a pilot hole 4 feet deep into the ground with a mechanical auger using a drill bit 2 inches in diameter.

• 7

  Use a tractor-powered post driver to hammer the anchor posts through the pilot holes into the ground. Continue the same process until all anchor posts are set into the ground.

• 8

  Mark a straight and level line 1 foot down from the top of the corner post using a measuring tape and carpenter’s pencil. Repeat the process with the bracing post.

• 9

  Position a heavy-duty L shaped metal bracket on the corner post with one end pointing to the ground and the other end extending straight out from the post to form a shelf. Line up the top of the bracket so it is level with the mark you made earlier. Screw the bracket onto the post with 1/4-inch galvanized screws 3 inches long. Repeat the same process on the bracing anchor post.

• 10

  Lay the spanning post on top of the L brackets located on the corner post and bracing post.

• 11

  Drill four 1/4-inch pilot holes through the side of the bracing post into each corner of the end of the spanning post.

• 12

  Screw galvanized 1/4-inch diameter screws 6 inches long through the pilot holes of the corner post into the end of the spanning post. Repeat the same process on the bracing post.