• Digging post holes can be an arduous and frustrating task if not done correctly.vulture on fencepost image by PHOTOFLY from Fotolia.com
  
  Using a post hole digger takes hard work and patience. A proper hole and foundation are key for stability of the post and the structure itself. Post holes can hold fence posts, wall supports, columns and other structures. If you use a post hole digger effectively, the process will be easier and more efficient and whatever you build will last longer.
  
  

Measurement

• Measure your hole precisely so you have a goal when digging. For standard four-inch by four-inch posts, holes should be one foot in diameter and one foot deep, depending on how long your posts are. Using a garden trowel or other tool, make a rough outline of your hole. If you need your posts to be in line with others or with another structure, use garden stakes and a string to keep your posts in line.
  
  

Equipment

• Use a new or well-maintained post hole digger. Sharpen the digging edges for maximum ground penetration. Before using the digger, check the hinge for ease of opening and closing. If the digger is rusty or dirty, clean it and lubricate it with 10W-40 or another lubricating oil until it opens and closes smoothly. It's hard enough to dig, so you don't want to be fighting a rusty or malfunctioning post hole digger. Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes from debris.
  
  

Operation

• Once you've measured your hole and lined it up with the others, drop the digger into the center of your hole. Let the weight of the post hole digger do most of the work breaking up the soil. Chop around the outline to make it clear where you need to dig. Once you have a good pile of soil, use the digger like a scoop. Drop the post hole digger into the loose soil and spread the handles apart. This brings the blades of the digger together and pulls up a load of soil. Make a neat pile of earth next to the hole. Once you place the pole, you can refill the hole with this dirt.
  
  

Efficiency

• There will often be roots, rocks and debris getting in the way of your digging. Stop and use a small shovel or chopper to remove these. This saves your digger's blades from getting dull and saves your back from the added strain. If the soil is hard, moisten it with water before starting. Don't turn the soil completely to mud, though, because your hole will be harder to dig. If the ground is so hard that no water will get in, drive a piece of pipe or a stake into the ground so water can get in.