Hello stompoutbermuda, This is really quite a coincidence as I rarely visit the landscaping forum, but just happened upon it a couple of days ago. From what I can see of the mountain range in your pics, and I could be wrong, but it appears as though we are practically neighbors. :-) If so, I live in the neighboring town maybe 7 or so miles east of your location. I agree with the poster who said you've got a 'diamond in the rough' there. I'm in my 50's and have lived in this area for nearly 40 years, and have seen many a beautiful desert oasis built in the area where it appears you are. :-) Not being a fan of snakes either, lol, I feel safe to say that in the many years I've spent in the high desert, and many hikes out in the desert, I have seen rattlesnakes as many times, or less, than I can count on one hand. They are shy creatures, not aggressive, and while dangerous, they are an important part of the desert community. We would be overrun with rodents otherwise. And I also agree with the poster who said king snakes, roadrunners and hawks are natural predators who help to keep the rattlers at bay. I'm afraid it's a waste of money, effort and time to try to create a snake proof fence. Your best bet is to accept that they are a part of the community - walk with loud but cautionary steps around hiding areas where they may be, and carry a long stick with you if you need to poke around in an area which may be a hiding place for them. If I may offer a few suggestions, for what they are worth...? :-) Line your fence line with oleanders and cypress. Both are drought and wind resistant, are green all year round, and the oleanders offer beautiful and colorful blooms this time of year. Yes, oleanders are poisonous, but one would have to actually consume many leaves, or breathe the fumes of burning plants to be in danger. Many, many homeowners in this area have oleanders on their fence line for a windbreak, and I have yet to hear of anyone becoming sick as a result of them. I've raised two children here in the high desert and now have several grandchildren enjoying the slow pace and beautiful sunsets over the Sierras. :-) As far as gardening, there is no reason why you can't realize your dream of having a productive garden. I say this as I just went outside and picked several ripe and juicy tomatoes from my plants. I visit gardenweb often and lurk, but I believe this is my first post as it pertains to something I actually know a little something about. LOL. Enjoy your new home, you really do have a diamond in the rough. It sounds like you have some great ideas to create your little oasis. Please pardon me if I have sounded presumptuous. Sincerely, satura

I am planning on making a 2-carport on the side of the house. I still need a workshop to put all my tools (table saw, miter saw, band saw, belt sander, etc.) so I can use them. Currently all the big tools are in boxes and I take them out to do something and have to put them back afterwords. Its a PITA! Thats the reasoning behind trying to get rid of the tool shed and replacing it with a bigger workshop. I was then thinking that if it was big enough to get a car in, then I would be able to do any emergency repairs during the winter (I live in charlotte and the winter is only about 2 months long) The site is about 12 feet from the end of my driveway and I could drive the car on grass to get to it in case of an emergency. I am looking at metal and maybe structural concrete for a floor that might be able to handle a 4000lb car. I know I might have to come down to earth and realize that getting a car is asking for too much given the constraints but I at least want a stable-solid enough floor to handle the power tools and the vibrations. Thanks

Sorry, I don't have any pictures - or a carport for that matter. But I think you are on the right track as the best way to make something disappear is to paint it the same color as its surroundings. Baring any reconstruction, painting both the deck and the carport white sound like the best solution to me. I like your idea about the hanging planters too. However, I think adding an overhang would just add to the piecemeal mismatched appearance. I would probably make do (with an umbrella) until I was in a position to build a proper breezeway/garage sometime down the road. Meanwhile, I think you already have some great ideas for sprucing it up a bit. Congrats on your new home! P.S. Before painting the carport I'd check with the knowledgeable folks on the painting forum to get recommendations for products that will adhere to the metal and prevent peeling.

I don't know the true definition of a farmers porch but for our design I am speaking about a front entry area with a covered roof - the roof for the covered deck/ entry area has a much shallower pitch than the rest of the house - as does the carport which is attached to a side hitch garage. The two roofs, over the front entry (farmers porch) and carport are 3.5 / 12 pitch ... -and both face the street.