I live in the mountains of WV near the Applachain trail, and have a small herb garden with a pond in the center, usually a draw for birds and squirrels and turtles. In the past week, about six (no lie six) of my immediate neighbors within a mile have had a run-in with a copperhead snake, one man was bitten.
I've also heard that the timber rattlesnakes are moving because we've had a dry summer. This is making me afraid to go into my garden, and I've been
watering the herbs from my driveway.

We have a six foot blacksnake that roams our yard, and everyone says not to worry about the poisonous snakes, because "Snakebert" would be taking care of business in our yard, and eating any stray snakes.

Any advice on snake etiquette? I'm not particularly afraid of snakes, but I've never dealt with them before, since I'm from the great frozen North originally.

Try to find a pet shop that will sell you a kingsnake- they eat other snakes. Even the venomous ones If that isn't an option, move the herb garden to another spot away from the pond (assuming its a natural pond- if its an ornamental pond, drain it). The snakes will be attracted to the water whatever you do. So unless you're ready to start exterminating them... Besides, the snakes will start to look for dens in a few more weeks in preparation for the winter and then they'll be gone anyway. You might also want to try contacting animal control for your county- they might be able to help.

Best of luck

Draco

"walk softly and carry a big stick"???
On a serious note, you should do more research.  Does snakebert actually eat poisonous snakes?  I agree with moving your herbs away from the pond.  Frogs love ponds.  Snakes love frogs.  Also, knowing where copperheads and rattlesnakes rest during the day, and the temperatures outside make a difference.  I think wearing a good pair of boots will help.  Dracomoonstone was right. Even if animal control isn't an option, then at least they can give you information on dealing with the problem yourself.

You should be fine.  Black snakes do eat other snakes.  My Pawpaw has a 6 or 8 foot black snake he calls king Gorge that lives in his ground house and he never had a problem with snakes even when every one else around him did.   Also when you go out walk heavily.  Stomp if you like.  Most snakes are terrified of humans and would much rather run from you than stick around long enough to bite.  Most bites happen when you take a snake by surprise.
And just in case you do walk up on a snake (which a find doubtful with a black snake hanging around) get a snake bite kit to take into the garden with you or if you have a shed near the garden keep it in there. And keep your cell phone on you.  You can use to kit to start tending to a bite while awaiting the ambulance.  Unless I am mistaken most kits come with a pump or suction cup and a tourniquet and instructions.

My mother is a mountain woman so I asked her for advice.  She said put a line of lime on the ground around your property.  Snakes won't cross it because it burns their bellies.  She says if you have a bit of land that you can also set a bucket of water as far from the garden as possible and it might draw them away.

hope it helps.  Like I said though your black snake will probably keep them away anyway.

Thanks so much for the advice, I will give that a shot. My pond is small, decorative and filled with mature water lilies, goldfish, and an old bullfrog, so I hate to give it up, it's never been �a real issue before this year. �My concern is mainly for my pets and toddler who loves to kick his shoes off and run around barefoot when I'm not looking.

Several yrs ago my husband and I set out to transform our backyard from grass to something more. We installed a pond, but the earth threw it up out of the ground one winter. The following Spring, chocolate mint came up in that very spot, and we let it grow into the mound of mint that it is now (about the size of a pond). Every year we add more bushes and plants to the yard. It looks really nice now. But this last year I saw a lot of creatures, esp. snakes. Ours I know aren't anything to worry about because they tend to be small. They love to hang out in the mint. I've come upon them by accident and it usually results in them going their way and me going mine. I don't really have any advice, I just wanted to relay that story.