Materials Needed

• A squirrel sits on a painted palisade fence.
  
  Materials needed for building a palisade fence:
  
  8-foot posts of 4-by-4-inch tanalised timber (posts that are pretreated with preservatives)
  12-foot lengths of 3-by-1.5-inch sawn timber, which simply means rough sawn
  6-foot lengths of 3.5-by-1-inch sawn timber
  3-inch galvanized nail
  2-inch galvanized nails
  Post mix
  
  The above is an example of a 6-foot fence, according to gardenzine.co.uk (see Reference 1).
  
  The posts are sunk into the ground every 6 feet. To find how much you need for your fence, measure the ground you want to cover and divide by 6 feet. For horizontal measurements, use three rails to span across the posts. Again, divide the length by 12 feet and multiply by three. The vertical straps are usually already cut to 6-foot lengths. You should need about 10 of these per 3 feet.
  
  

Digging the Holes

• A picket fence is also called a palisade fence.
  
  The fence post holes are dug a little less than 6 feet apart; this makes setting the posts easier and gives you some tolerance.
  
  Place the 8-foot posts in the ground, covering at least 2 feet of the posts. Use post mix if your ground is soft at 2 feet. Dig holes a bit deeper if you wish and wide enough for post mix or cement if necessary.
  
  Pour post mix or cement into the hole. Set the post into the hole and make sure the post is oriented to the fence line. Use a level on the front and side of your posts. Continue to check levels as your helper is pouring mix into the hole. After the posts are set into the holes, tamp down and re-level. Keep your posts level and in a straight line by tying a string between them. Keep the line tight. Set the remainder of your posts, level as before, but ensure the front face of each post is touching the string.
  
  

Horizontal Rails

• There are three rails, which are used for support of your vertical straps and nailed to the posts. Begin at the bottom and attach one rail to the post at about 8 inches from where you want the bottom of your fence. Place a second rail about 8 inches from the top of the fence. The third rail should sit directly in the center of the top and bottom rails.
  
  Nail one vertical strap at each end of the fence. Double-nail your straps and use a string across the top of the strap to keep your fence straight at the top. Decide on the gap you want between the straps.
  
  Once you have completed the fence, check if you posts are level at the top. Cut posts if they are not level.