How to get plastic stakes into hard ground?

 

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When  going camping at established campsites, there are certain amenities that often come with the site: A pit toilet, perhaps a water spicket, usually a place for trash.

Some established campsites are better than others, but when they are good, they offer a great way to experience a place not open for backpacking.

The problem with these established sites are that they have tent areas that are very hard and impacted. The ground makes it hard to put a tent stake in effectively.

And it is not just car camping sites, either. When you have to use established backcountry sites (such as national parks), the ground tends to be hard as well.

So what to do? My method in the past was to grab a Big Ass Rock (BAR), pound the stake in, sometimes bend them (with cheaper tent stakes esp.), curse and finally get the stakes in the ground.

A little while ago, I stumbled upon a much easier method. I still use a BAR, but also add the simple tool of a water bottle. Simple. Effective. And saves endless aggravation!

Here are  the easy steps!

1. Take water bottle and pour a small amount of water on area where you plan to place tent stake.
2. Wait a minute or two for water to settle a bit.
3. Place stake.
4. Use the BAR to tap in stake..or even your foot if the ground is now soft enough.
5. Repeat until all needed stakes are in sufficiently.
6. Blissfully enjoy  your campsite!

Easy peasy'mac n' cheesy!

What to use for tent stakes?

My personal stakes of choice in the since  or so have been:

• MSR Groundhog minis for backpacking. A good, all-purpose  tent stake that is somewhat expensive but is light (.35 oz), versatile, sturdy and holds down well. Works well for the off-the beaten path areas I often favor.

• Colghan's Ultralight tent stakes: The budget alternative for above that happens to be much longer.  I use them in my car camping tote. The areas for car camping tends to have harder ground and beats on stakes. Why not use the budget, but still capable, alternative?

• Gutter Nails ' The budget alternative I like to use on occassion esp with the large tarp in the camp kit.

 Update:  A well known blogger suggested using urine because it does not waste water. Apparently this blogger has not met someone. ' If she knew I was peeing where I planned on putting the tent stakes'well, let's just say a Central European accent is really effective at vocalizing displeasure. '

Related

By Grandma Margie (Guest Post)

August 1,

0

found this helpful

I take a 3 foot section of steel "rebar" and drive it into the hard soil with a heavy hammer, called a "sledge hammer". Twist and tap the rebar from side to side to enlarge the hole to the size your plastic stake is. Remove the rebar. Then insert your plastic stake into the hole! You can buy short lengths of "rebar" at Lowe's or Home Depot. They don't cost much......maybe a dollar or less.....and come in handy for other things as well.

 

Holly

Silver Post Medal for All Time! 364 Posts

August 2,

0

found this helpful

I know what you are talking about. Another suggestion is to take clay flowerpots, fill with something sturdy and put the plastic candy cane stakes in them.

 

matar

November 23,

0

found this helpful

This was the perfect solution for me because we had worry about sticking this in the ground near our drip system lines. Thanks!!!

 

By Caraing (Guest Post)

August 2,

0

found this helpful

According to the mailman when we were putting in a new mailbox and post. He told us the easiest way to do this was to have the hose on real low and as you are pushing down and twisting the ground gives way and you do it with minimal effort.

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Of course this was after my husband knocked himself out doing it the old way. LOL.. I guess give it a try.

LMay

August 2,

0

found this helpful

You can get a package of 4 metal plastic topped tent stakes at Walmart for about 2.00. They can be hammered in, they are like a big nail & you can tie a rope to them if needed.

For more information, please visit Tian Yilong.

 

Annie Rios Hill

Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,317 Feedbacks

August 2,

0

found this helpful

water just wet area where stakes will be and it will be
a lot easier.

 

By JaniceT (Guest Post)

August 5,

0

found this helpful

Once you make a hole, hammer a small piece of pvc pipe in so in the future all you have to do is slide you decoration in the hole.

 

Dprimus7

December 11,

0

found this helpful

This is a question to a post I found on Google yet its dated . Now it's ten years later. However, if you still answer these posts how would you get the decoration to stand up if you need to hammer the decoration post into the ground.

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I would think by placing the decorations post into a pvc pipe there would be a lot of space for the item to move around in. Just need to know as I am one of those bleeps that is trying to put my decorations up in frozen ground. LOL. Thank you.

marniewells13

December 13,

0

found this helpful

Me too Darius! NH ground is frozen. I'm going to try the rebar suggestion in the morning . Good luck!

 

By Debbie (Guest Post)

November 28,

0

found this helpful

Can anyone tell me how to easily insert the black plastic stake into the lighted candy cane? I have already broken one. Thanks, Deb

 

Anonymous

March 16,

0

found this helpful

The easiest method is to soak the area with a reasonable amount of warm water prior to inserting the pegs and do the same when it is time to remove them.

 

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