Stake
These
are called U-Channel or U-Style posts because in cross section they are
U shaped.
The
ones called T-Style also work. They usually cost less than $5.00 and are
available at building supplies and garden stores. You just pound them into the
ground. Depending on how hard your ground is, you might need a sledge hammer.
Get the thicker, taller ones. If necessary stand on a chair
or step ladder to be in a good position to reach the top to hammer it. These posts were built to hold wire fencing,
but also work for holding up hollow
peace poles. I have half a dozen peace poles in my yard in order to study them
as they age. All have been slid over the top of these
posts.
This will work for resin poles, copper poles, bronze poles or any peacepoles that are hollow (wooden poles are not hollow).
Larger Peace Poles
You are better off with two of these inside the pole pushing on opposite sides of it. Make a mark on the ground by setting the peace pole on the spot and then dragging something like a nail around it to mark its outline. Then drive the fence posts into the ground at the outer edges of the marked area. Lean them out away from each other so that there is spring in them pushing against the insides of the peace pole as in the photo at right. Have someone hold them together, which is not hard, while you set the pole over them. Have the fence clips pointing inward so that the pole does not get hung up on them while sliding down.
Usually two stakes inside are enough. If they are not situated just right, a third could be necessary to keep it straight over time.
If you are working with a peacepole covered with patina, it is better to wear gloves. Wash your hands before eating afterwards. You should not ingest the patina.
Disclaimer
Holding
up a peace pole with stakes is easy and always has worked for me (five in my
yard are planted that way), but I guess I should include a disclaimer saying
that I'm not guaranteeing that no one will steal it or no wind will blow it
away. I'm not aware of that ever happening, and it seems awfully unlikely, but I
guess it could.
