Howdy,

I never buy so-called "ground rods". Instead I use 3/4-inch Cu tubing and
connect it to the end of my garden hose.

I turn on the water and push the end of the tubing into the ground. The water
pressure makes it easy to push the rod into the ground.

HOWEVER: Depending on how "rocky" the soil is, it may be a little harder than
if the soil is un-rocky. (It's a much better hint for softer soil.)

BTW Cu tubing is much cheaper than a ground rod.

73 de Jack, K9CUN