A socket and method for anchoring a sign post in the ground securely without requiring the sign post to be drivingly impacted. The socket has a hollow cavity having a cross sectional configuration substantially the same as that of the post, the cavity terminating at a ledge. The ledge is an edge of a portion of a leader inserted into one end of the socket and having the remainder of the leader extending from that one end. The socket is driven into the ground by inserting a driving rod into the cavity and impacting the driving rod against the ledge formed by the leader until the socket is driven to the desired depth in the ground. The driving rod is then withdrawn and the sign post is inserted into the socket and secured to it.