Planting a Garden for Sam: An Introduction to My Garden by Beau Dunn

This year, I lost one of my best friends—Samantha Cutler—and the world dimmed a little. Sam was one of the strongest, brightest, funniest people I have ever met. She lit up every room, every conversation, every ordinary moment. Losing her left a space in my life that felt impossible to fill… until one day, completely out of nowhere, I felt this pull to create something living and beautiful in her honor.

A garden.

Now, if you know me, you know I am not the domestic one. That’s literally why Tash exists in my life—to save me from anything involving dirt, organization, logistics, or instructions longer than three bullet points. But something about the idea of building a garden for Sam just felt right. It felt like a way to keep her spirit close. A way to ground myself in something new. A way to pour love into something that would grow, change, and hopefully bloom—just like she always encouraged me to.

So, I decided: in honor of Sam, I’m going to build a garden she would be proud of.
One step at a time. One seed at a time. One “Wait, what does this tool even do?” moment at a time.

And since I know absolutely nothing about gardening (yet!), I’ve been diving in headfirst—researching, reading, asking questions, and learning more than I ever thought I would about soil, sunlight, seedlings, and the wild world of composting.

This series will be my way of sharing everything I learn along the journey—from the first shovel in the ground to the first bloom that shows up and makes me cry. I want this space to feel like we’re building this garden together, for Sam, for healing, and maybe even for a little inspiration.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a total beginner like me, I hope you find something meaningful here. Maybe it will encourage you to plant something for someone you love. Maybe it will remind you that growth—even the messy, unpredictable kind—is still possible after loss.

Here’s to the garden.
Here’s to learning.
And most of all—here’s to Sam. If you knew Sam, she would want me looking super cute while planting this garden.