- 1). Insert stakes to mark the corners of the area you want to enclose. Extend string along the stakes, and measure the distance to give you an idea of how mush fencing material you need. Also mark locations for line posts between the corner stakes, keeping them seven to 15 feet apart.
- 2). Dig a hole over each marked spot using a post hole digger. Keep the hole deep enough to bury a third of the desired post length and three to four inches wider than the width of the post. Tamp the base of each hole to level and smooth it using a hand-held tamper. Pound the flat edge of the tamper over the base of the hole until the dirt is firm and even.
- 3). Stand a wooden or steel T-post in each hole, and pour concrete around it until a few inches from the top of the hole. Use wooden posts if you're installing wooden boards or wooden lattice sheets along the fence line. Ensure that each post is plumb, or stands upright, before setting it in the concrete. Leave the concrete in each post to cure, or dry, for 24 hours before packing dirt over it until the dirt is level with the surrounding soil surface.
- 4). Attach the fencing material to the posts. Stand a roll of mesh, welded or woven wire fencing against the corner wooden post, and staple the start of the roll in place with 2- to 3-inch staples. Extend the fencing material to the adjacent posts, and continue stapling it until you cover the fence line. Cut off excess wire with cutters, and use pliers to twist the ends of the wire to prevent scratches in the future.
- 5). Measure the horizontal distance between two adjacent posts if installing lattice or wooden boards, and cut two lengths of 2-by-4-inch boards to that exact measurement. Attach one board horizontally to the two posts several inches above the ground and the other board several inches from the top. Measure the vertical space between the horizontal boards, and cut two lengths of 2-by-4 to that measurement. Attach each vertical board to a post using galvanized nails. Position the lattice sheet or wooden board over the 2-by-4-inch frame between two posts, and attach the lattice or boards to the frame with galvanized nails.
- 6). Measure the horizontal space between two adjacent posts if installing a picket fence, and cut two lengths of 2-by-4 lumber to match the spacing. The two wooden boards serve as horizontal rails to which you will join the pickets. Nail the ends of one horizontal rail to the two adjacent posts, several inches above the ground, and the ends of the second rail a few inches from the top. Place a picket next to a corner post, directly above the upper and lower horizontal rails, and nail the picket in place. Place a spacer board in your desired width next to the board, and continue to join pickets to the horizontal boards the same way. A spacer board is a scrap piece of lumber that helps you provide uniform spacing between adjacent pickets. Remove the spacer after securing a picket.
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