Where are you located? What kind of snake? Where is the patio space? Don't focus on the fence, focus on your space. I might be able to make some suggestions if you supply some context - climate, house style, surrounding area. Stand BACK and take photos of big areas.

This photo was taken last year. It is a depressing mess. West Chester Pa, house 3 storied brick twin built 1886. about 10 feet between house and fence, fenced area faces West, snake about 18 inches long, my sister when I described it says a corn snake. brown with a stripe.

The wrought iron table and a chair is next to the house by the cement repaired wall. (table not in photo). Carol

I don't understand why a snake in the hostas would mean hostas are out. It's not a poisonous snake. It's called wildlife. If you don't like hostas, look at Pulmonaria and shady area groundcovers, like lamiums. As they grow, they'll soften the edges of the cement walk.

Snakes in the garden are a good thing. Re the fence, how about painting or staining it?

Very, very unlikely that you have any dangerous snakes in your yard. In fact, it was probably a garter snake, sometimes called a "garden snake" and they just eat mostly big bugs from your garden and are very scared of you and will slither away if given the slightest opportunity. The stones and bricks probably attract just as many snakes as any plants. You don't need to have a yard devoid of landscaping or plants to avoid snakes.

Your cheapest and easiest option for a small patio are large (12 inch and sometimes you can even find bigger ones) cement pavers. They cost a couple of bucks each, and you don't need that many. There are many ways to put in a patio like that, but the best way is to dig down, put a layer of special rough gravel, tamp it down, fill with pavers and then sweep sand over it between the cracks. You could do it in one weekend. Directions can be found in any good landscaping book at the library or just google "cement paver patio." You can edge it with wood if you like.

Then put out some cheap colorful plastic planters with colorful flowers, like your grandkids drew. And if it were me, I'd scour the second hand and garage sale and garden stores for fun metal or wood things to hang on the fence. I found a metal sun sculpture with bells on it in the trash one time, for example. Mulch the rest with good cedar mulch and call it a day, that way you won't have to mow. Or do grass for the rest, and use a weed whacker like I did in my tiny urban "lawn."

You could try growing vines on the fence. There are some that tolerate shade and don't take up too much horizontal space. I think native honeysuckle (lonicera sempervierens) and clematis (clematis virginiana) -- not their non-native counterparts, which can be invasive -- both take shade and might be good choices. You might need to attach wires to the fence for them to grab onto.

Oh, I forgot to add, that it isn't likely that it was a corn snake, they are more blotchy than striped, but it is not impossible. Corn snakes got their name because they could often be found around a corn crib or barn, or wood pile, but it wasn't the corn they were after, it was the mice. The best way to avoid them is try and keep mice out of your yard. No food scraps in the yard, and if you want, put out some traps and do a mouse purge. Or get a cat, which would probably keep away both the mice and the snakes. I used to have a pet corn snake, so I can tell you they are not aggressive either, and will slither away if disturbed. But anyway, corn snakes or garter snakes don't care a whit about what kind of plants you have in your yard. Just keep it as tidy as possible so no boards or piles of debris or rocks for them to crawl under to hide. Of course under your fence is a good hiding spot, but honestly if you don't mess with them they will be more than happy to stay as far away from you as possible.

I want to say Thank You to all who have advised me. I'm sure you can tell that I am scared of snakes. An outside cat is a nice idea but I know me, and come cold weather the cat would be an inside cat, not that that is bad. I had an indoor/outdoor cat for 18 years. After losing the cat to age, then the next year losing my Jack Russell/beagle to congestive heart failure I have not gotten more pets. Sadly, the local SPCA wants $500 for a dog and that is out of this senior citizen's price range. i do realize all the shots etc run up in costs and the SPCA has to recoup the cost.

If snakes like rocks, pebbles, stones as well as plants and ground cover, ground cover it will be. Tomorrow morning I plan to buy a test size can of Sherwin Williams Jersey Cream color and test it on the tired, grey fence. I like the idea of hanging whimsical items on the fence. I will be on the lookout for freebies.

This ground cover grows in my yard and I will move some of it under the fence.

I kind of like the shabby-chic fence naturally grayed out and your contrasting turquoise painted post. It's starting to look like a cute beach house garden. I would follow some of l pinkmountain's advice and keep it practical with the concrete pavers as well as keep it fun and lighthearted with the grandkids in mind. Look for unusual wood, ceramic, or metal items or shapes to paint in bright colors to hang on the fence. You will have the perfect grandma's folk art garden. Or for something different, search online for "fairy garden" and you will find some instructive photos that may amuse you. You may never see another snake in your garden again, but if you do, just go inside and let the harmless creature wander on its way.

Your garden may be starting out humble, but I think the challenge of a small garden can often result in the most interesting spaces.

Kiminpi and All, Thank you for your thoughts. I keep looking at the shabby-chic fence and think if I paint that then I need to continue and paint the whole 70-90 feet of fence. that's a bit of money for nothing, tons of aches for my body. The inside house decor is French- Casual-shabby-chic in blues, beiges and gold (drapes). I need to pull together a theme for the fence. I like the idea of beach. Being near or on the ocean is my favorite place to be. I also like the fairy theme but don't want to get too cutesy. I will look online as you suggested.

Any idea how to hang something securely on a fence? The paintings fall off and I don't want to put hangers over the top of the fence because of neighbors.

I am considering in the first two fence sections from the gate using sand colored pebbles because it is very shady and nothing will grow there. Then ground cover where the shade/sun strikes.I am shaking Snake Away all over the area.

I have small plastic table/trays but I don't think plastic is right, maybe some type of small open wire table with planters on them or something funky on the table top. For a starter the theme could be shabby-chic whimsical fairy garden near water.

If anyone has websites/thoughts/ideas for this theme let me know. thanks, carol

You can screw coated cup hooks into the underside of the top horizontal pieces of the fence -- 2 for each painting, or 1 for an interesting object, like an old metal trivet painted a bright color. You might have to pre-drill a hole. Just one idea.

If you can find a recycling place selling old wood-framed windows with individual panes, they can be repurposed in your shabby-chic beach garden, hung on the fence or on the wall; use an old door painted a distressed shade of garden green for a table. Old bicycles and such have interesting parts to hang on the fence, too. Think of Picasso's "bull" made with a bike seat and handlebars. Think of the round metal gear parts, the spoke wheels; make a sculpture. Turn someone else's trash into treasure.

Wow, kiminpl, the obvious but I never thought of cup hooks. I have old wood picture frames in different sizes that I have/had no use for; hmmm, for a start I will paint the frames . . .with your neat ideas this is going to be a fun challenge and you are helping me to think outside of the box.

on Friday a handyman is going to powerwash the cement sidewalk - to save money I was going to use a brush and bleach and do it myself. A power wash will be better and save my ancient body from many aches.