How to Install Posts for a Lattice Privacy Screen

Obtain the frost line date for your area. The frost line determines how deep into the soil frost penetrates. If you do not install the posts below the frost line, the ground's freezing and thawing will cause the posts to shift, putting strain on attached lattice panels. To obtain the frost line data for your area, contact your county's local university or co-operative extension agent (see Resources).

Mark the point each post will sit with a small dot of spray paint on the ground. How far apart you place each post will depend upon the size of the lattice boards you install and their dimensions. To create an 8-foot tall privacy screen, install 4-by-8-foot lattice panels on the posts and set posts 4 feet apart on center. This means that all posts should measure 4 feet apart when measured from the center of each post.

Dig holes where previously indicated with painted spots on the ground. Start at one corner or end of the privacy screen and work your way around. Dig the holes to the necessary depth below the frost line using a post hole digger. Keep the top opening narrow and widen the bottom of the hole. This helps to prevent heaving and leaning.

Set the first post into place in the hole. Have an assistant hold the post in place while you measure and adjust the post for plumb. Place a level against a flat side of the post and adjust until the appropriate bubble on the level sits equally between the two marks in the liquid tubes.

Anchor the post into place to keep it plumb by nailing two 2-by-4-inch boards to the post. Angle the 2-by-4 boards toward the ground, with the opposite ends of the boards planted firmly against the ground to hold the post while the concrete dries around it.

Mix a batch of fast-setting concrete with water, according to package directions. Fill the hole around each post with the wet concrete. Allow approximately one week for the concrete to dry before removing the 2-by-4-inch braces and installing the sections of lattice board.