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If you are mixing small amounts of concrete, you can mix it in a five gallon bucket (photo 5), or in a steel wheel barrow. In a bucket do only about a third of a bucket at a time because the stuff is very heavy. Mix just enough water with the concrete to wet all the dry powder, then add a little more. The wet concrete should "stand up," or still be firm enough to hold small mounds on top of the mix. But as you stir, it should feel soupy and not dry. The exact amount of water is not critical, but it cannot be too wet (chicken soup) or too dry (your mother in law's corn bread).

Photo 5- Mix the concrete with water so that it is saturated but still a bit stiff.

Place fences around the post hole to make a boundary for the concrete. Dig out the area within the boundaries surrounding the hole so that the concrete will be at least 3 inches thick, and tamp down the dirt so the concrete sits on a solid surface. Pour in the concrete and level the surface with a stick, the ends of which rest on solid ground (photo 6). Place this year's penny in the concrete (date up) next to the post so your grandkids will know when you built it. Let the concrete set over night before you apply any stress to it, two days if you will apply serious stress.

Photo 6- Level out the concrete with adjacent surfaces and then smooth it out with a trowel. Work the stones down into the concrete with the trowel so that the cement forms a smooth top surface.

Use a rot resistant wood, such as second growth con heart redwood, which is readily available on the west coast. In other parts of the country, ask at your local building supply about wood types that will hold up best exposed to weather. Assemble the basic rectangular frame(s) for the gates, by screwing together the joints as in photo 7. Decking screws hold better than nails, and it's a good idea to use them throughout your gate. Use a variable speed drill with a Phillips driver tip to set the screws. Get a type of screw that is made for exterior use, such as for decks. They cost more but won’t rust. Interior drywall screws will rust quickly if used outside.