Yeah, those foam inserts are a mess—mold city after one wet season in my case. I’ve found that with mature trees nearby, quarterly gutter checks aren’t overkill at all. If you’re into composting, the debris actually makes a decent addition, though you might want to skip the frog.
I get where you’re coming from with the quarterly checks, especially if you’ve got a lot of leaf drop. But honestly, I’ve had decent luck stretching it to twice a year, even with a couple of big oaks nearby. The trick for me has been swapping out those foam inserts for a fine mesh screen—less gunk buildup, and way less mold. It’s not perfect, but it cuts down on the gross factor and the frequency.
About composting the gutter debris, I’d just add that if you’re using roof shingles, sometimes the granules and bits of asphalt end up in the mix. Not the best for veggie beds, but fine for ornamental compost. And yeah, the frog thing... had a salamander once, gave me a jump. Nature finds a way, I guess.
I hear you on the mesh screens—definitely a step up from those foam inserts, especially when it comes to keeping the mold and slimy stuff down. But I’ll be honest, I tried the fine mesh route a couple years back, and maybe it’s just my luck, but the pine needles around here still found a way to pile up right on top. Ended up with a sort of “roof garden” situation, which looked funny until the water started spilling over during a big storm. Had to get up there anyway and clear it out, so for me, the quarterly checks are just less hassle in the long run.
About the composting, I’ve always wondered about those shingle granules. I tossed some gutter gunk into my veggie patch once, then read somewhere that the asphalt bits might not be great for edibles. Probably fine for the flower beds, like you said, but I’m a bit more cautious these days. It’s wild what ends up in the gutters, though. Found an old Nerf dart up there last fall—no idea how long that had been hiding.
And yeah, the critters... I once reached in and grabbed what I thought was a clump of wet leaves, only to come face-to-face with a mouse. Nearly fell off the ladder. Guess the gutters are prime real estate for all sorts of wildlife. Nature’s got a sense of humor, that’s for sure.
