Amy Dabbs

Master Extension Associate
Statewide School and Community Gardening Coordinator
Horticulture Program Team

Office: Clemson Extension TEACH Center at the Citadel Mall
Phone: 843-737-3942
Fax:

Email: adabbs@clemson.edu

Educational Background

M.S. Horticulture
Clemson University 1997

B.S. Agricultural Education
Clemson University 1993

Courses Taught

Growing A Seed Library
School Gardening for SC Educators
Cultivating Communities Online Course for SC Community Gardeners
Bee A Friend to Pollinators: Pollinator Education & Agricultural Literacy Online Course
Tri-County Master Gardener Course
Master Gardener Advanced Training School and Community Gardening
Carolina Yards Gardening School
Sustainable Small Farms & Backyards

Profile

Amy has served as the Clemson Extension Statewide School and Community Gardening Coordinator since 2018. She leads the School Gardening for SC Educators program, an online training and technical support program she developed with her colleagues at Clemson Extension. Since 2012, thousands of educators have been trained to establish and grow school gardens across South Carolina. In 2021, she co-developed Bee A Friend to Pollinators, an online course focused on pollinator education and agricultural literacy for K 12 educators. She has also worked with a multi-disciplinary team to create the online course Cultivating Communities, designed to empower and equip community gardeners with the skills and tools needed to grow community gardens.
Formerly serving as the Clemson Extension Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties for over ten years, Amy earned a master's degree in Horticulture from Clemson University, specializing in horticulture therapy. She spent ten years at the South Carolina Botanical Garden as a registered horticultural therapist, coordinating the after-school children's gardening program, Sprouting Wings. Amy and her family live in Charleston, SC.

Extension and Outreach

Dabbs, A., Whitener, P., & Sease, B. (2022, April 22). STEM In the Garden: How School Gardening for SC Educators is Growing to Meet the Challenges of Creating and Sustaining Outdoor Garden Classroom [Conference Presentation Growing School Gardens Summit Denver, CO].

The Bee Cause Project. (2020, December 22). Community Engagement Bee Program Webinar [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoHBex4qooI

Dabbs, A. (2019, September 28). As The Worm Turns: Adventures with Vermicomposting [Conference Presentation National 4-H Volunteer Conference].

Dabbs, A. (2019, September 27). Growing Lettuce and Herbs using the Kratky Hydroponic Method in The Classroom [Conference Presentation National 4-H Volunteer Conference].

Dabbs, A., Snipes, Z., & Whitener, P. (2016, July 13). School Gardening for SC Educators Program [Conference Presentation American Horticulture Society National Youth Gardening Symposium].

Publications

Dabbs, A. & Keinath, A. (2023). South Carolina Master Gardener Manual Chapter 14 Annuals & Perennials [Revised]. Clemson University.

Dabbs, A., & Snipes, Z. (2021). Seasonal Planting Guide and Calendar For South Carolina School and Community Gardens. Clemson University Press.

Shearer M, Dabbs A, Snipes Z, Bertagnolli V, &Weaver J. Educators’ Guide to Managing Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) in School or Community Vegetable Gardens. Clemson (SC): Clemson Cooperative Extension, Land-Grant Press by Clemson Extension; 2020 Feb. LGP 1034. https://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/educators-guide-to-managing-red-imported-fire-ants-solenopsis-invicta-in-school-or-community-vegetable-gardens/.

Taylor, C., Symon, E., Dabbs, A., Way, A., &Thompson, O. (2017). Assessing a School Gardening Program as an Integrated Component of a Pilot Farm-to-school Initiative Based in South Carolina. HortTechnology. 27. 228-234. DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH03543-16.


Dabbs, Amy L., Snipes, Zachary B., Thompson, Olivia M. (Editors). (2016). Seasonal Planting Guide and Calendar for School Gardens: Upstate Region. The College of Charleston.

Dabbs, Amy L., Snipes, Zachary B., Thompson, Olivia M. (Editors). (2016). Seasonal Planting Guide and Calendar for School Gardens: Lowcountry Region. The College of Charleston.

Dabbs, A. (2015, November 20). Nature’s holiday decorations can be found as close as your yard. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Moraganello, K.C., Dabbs, A.L. (2015) Gardening with Native Plants. Naturally Kiawah.
http://www.joomag.com/magazine/naturally-kiawah-magazine-volume-43/0698847001441728319?short
Dabbs, A. (2015) Sow Seeds Now for Spring Blooms. Clemson Cooperative Extension Publication. clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2015/11sow_seeds_now_for_spring_bloom.html

Dabbs, A. (2015) Attracting Hummingbirds. Clemson Cooperative Extension Publication. www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2015/04%20attracting_hummingbirds.html
Dabbs, A. (2015, August 24). Backyard oasis. The Post & Courier Newspaper.
Dabbs, A. (2015, July 18). Ladybird Center A Gift to All. The Post & Courier Newspaper.
Dabbs, A. (2015) Put Down Roots with A Family Friendly Vegetable Garden. Lowcountry Local First Blog. Charleston, SC.
Dabbs, A. (2015, February 20). A case of the boxwood blues Fungal disease damaging plants. The Post & Courier Newspaper.
Dabbs, A. (2015, January 30). Speak the language of flowers on Valentine’s. The Post & Courier Newspaper.
Counts, K., Pachota, S., Giacalone, K., & Dabbs, A. (2014). The Carolina Yardstick Workbook. Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center. https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/files/cy_yardstick_workbook.pdf

Dabbs, A. (2014, December 17). Epiphytes are easy to grow Houseplants get water from air. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, November 30). Gardening for wellness. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, November 7). Growing onions during winter Some tips to have a fragrant harvest. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, October 17). Grasses show off in fall ornamentals underappreciated. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, July 25). Big woes from tiny spider mites. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, July 4). Summer is easy with vines. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, June 10). Five garden questions this week. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. & Keinath, A. (2014, May 30). The salvia solution Lovely yet tough perennial has a place in every garden. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014). Ferns... They’re like a cool drink of water on a hot day. The Post & Courier Newspaper. https://www.postandcourier.com/features/home_and_garden/ferns-theyre-like-a-cool-drink-of-water-on-a-hot-day/article_e09f4f56-9447-5fd7-a4b9-84a0d406f6f4.html

Dabbs, A. (2014, April 12). Family Friendly Gardening. Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, February 16). Have Mercy on Crape Myrtles. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, January 21). Shopping for Plants that Survive & Thrive. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2014, January 24). Navigating The Nursery. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, December 20). Haul Out the Hollies Part 2. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, December 7). Haul Out the Hollies Part 1. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, November 8). Native Nest Boxes. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, October 22). The Most ‘Poplar’ Tree in the Yard. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, October 7). Autumn Colors All About Chemistry. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, September 2). Fall Chores. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, August 20). Worm Composting, A Great Family Project. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, August 5). Blue Ribbon Gardens. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, July 25). A Buzz In The Garden. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, July 1). Hibiscus A Great Choice for Soggy Summer. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, June 28). Becoming A Master Gardener. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, June 20). Black Walnut Trees. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, June 3). Elderberry. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, April 13). Slime Molds. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, March 10). Put A Song In Your Garden- Attracting Songbirds Using Native Plants. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, February 23). Black Gold: Compost from Bees Ferry. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, February 23). Growing Potatoes. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, January 27). Growing Lettuce. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2013, January 12). Starting Plants from Seed. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, December 20). Get Garden Ready for Planting. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, December 2). Make A Date to Celebrate Arbor Day. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, November 18). Wipe Out Scale Insects. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, November 4). Bringing In Tropical Houseplants for Winter. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, October 21). Fall Gardening Made Easier. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, October 7). Plant This, Not That, Part 2. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, September 12). Plant This, Not That, Part 1. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, August 12). Lasagna Gardening. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, July 15). When to Harvest Vegetables. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, July 1). What is a Clemson Extension Master Gardener? The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, June 17). Tips for Pruning Hydrangeas. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, June 3). Tomato Troubles. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, May 20). Attracting Hummingbirds Without A Feeder. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Dabbs, A. (2012, May 6). Live Oaks and Gardens Can Be at Peace. The Post & Courier Newspaper.

Bowen, D., A. Dabbs, G. Dickert, B. Landford, W. Massey, and C. Tanner. (2012). Starting a Community Garden Clemson. Cooperative Extension Publication.

Dabbs, A.L. (2011) Swamp Leather flower. Clemson Home & Garden Information Center. Clemson University, South Carolina. clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2011/06swamp_leather_flower.html

Dabbs, A. (2009, July 20). Worm composting. Home & Garden Information Center. Clemson University, South Carolina.

Links