Guy on a job in Akron showed me his trick for digging post holes in clay soil

I was working a fence line last summer in Akron, Ohio, and the ground was just terrible. Pure red clay, hard as a rock after a dry spell. I was sweating bullets trying to get these holes dug, my auger was barely making it 6 inches down. Then this older fella, maybe 70 years old, walks over from the house next door. He says "you gotta soak that clay overnight first, then dig in the morning when it's soft." I thought he was blowing smoke, but I was desperate so I tried it. Next day I was able to get 30 inch holes no problem. Has anyone else run into that trick with stubborn soil? Worked way better than I expected.

2 comments

2 Comments

sage_lewis106d ago

Respectfully, soaking clay overnight can backfire if you're dealing with the heavy stuff we got down here in southern Ohio. Turns it into a slippery mess that just clogs your auger even worse.

jordan6535d ago

Wait is there like a special kind of Ohio clay that just laughs at water? I mean, I tried the overnight soak method once with some soil up here in Michigan and ended up with this weird slimy goop that looked like a science experiment gone wrong. My auger basically just spun around in place making sad noises while I stood there feeling like a total idiot. Maybe it's just me but I think some clay knows when you're trying to cheat and just doubles down on being difficult. Kinda makes me respect the people who actually know what they're doing with this stuff.