**Add water. Relying on ground moisture is an unreliable way to set a fence post.** Soil moisture varies, so you cannot count on it to wet the entire mix and produce a sound footing.

QUIKRETE’s **Fast-Setting Concrete Mix** can be poured dry into the hole, but its instructions then call for **about 1 gallon of water per 50-pound bag**, allowing the water to saturate the mix. They specify waiting about four hours before building the fence or loading the post. [QUIKRETE’s post-setting instructions](https://www.quikrete.com/athome/video-setting-posts.asp)

Check your exact bag: QUIKRETE sells several mixes, and the dry-pour method applies to its Fast-Setting product. Follow the water and mixing directions for whichever product you have.

For wood posts, use wood rated for ground contact. QUIKRETE also recommends a compacted gravel base and sloping the concrete surface away from the post to help manage moisture. [QUIKRETE’s wood-post guidance](https://www.quikrete.com/athome/settingposts.asp)