- 1). Inspect the area where the hole is to be dug, and determine if the hole can be dug in softer soil somewhere else.
- 2). Test the surface for rocks by jabbing the pry bar up and down into the soil. Bend the bar back and forth to loose the soil. If the pry bar isn't successful initially, swing the tip of the pickax up over behind your shoulder, holding the handle-end, and then down into the ground. The idea is to break up the surface as much as possible before using the shovel.
- 3). Dig out the loose soil and rocks with the shovel blade. Step on the back of the blade to push it down into the ground with your foot and then bend it back toward your body to lift the rocks. If the shovel snags, it's time to get the pickax and pry bar. Clear out as much of the rocks and soil as you can with the shovel blade.
- 4). Pry around in the hole with the pry bar to loosen rocks. Swing the pickax into the soil to bust up hard-set rocks. Scoop out the loose materials with the shovel. Work down as many inches at a time as possible. Repeat this process until the hole has been dug.
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