Students from prekindergarten to sixth grade were lining up excitedly at South Pointe Elementary on Thursday to check out the newest addition at the school.

What captured their interest had nothing to do with computers, technology or sports. They wanted to add dirt to the school's budding edible garden.

South Pointe planted seedlings last week, thanks to the efforts of Victoria Elliott and Catherine Prescott, whose children attend the school, and the backing of the PTA.

``We were inspired by Alice Waters,'' said Prescott, 36, of Miami Beach. ``She started an edible garden in schoolyards in Berkley California.''

Renowned chef Waters runs the Chez Panisse Foundation, which promotes healthful eating through gardening.

The moms wanted to bring the same concept to their children's school -- and already, students like Myles Lambeilo can't wait to watch their garden grow.

``I feel like growing trees and plants in school is going to be helpful to the environment and to educate,'' said Myles, 10, of Miami Beach.

South Pointe students are planting vegetables, fruits and herbs to be managed by the students.

Similar green patches are springing up in schools and educational projects around Miami-Dade County.

Project Plant 1000 Gardens has launched gardens in 10 elementary schools in Miami-Dade, with plans to double that number. The project's aim is to educate second-grade teachers about gardening and healthful eating so they can pass the lessons onto students.

``It's a great way to health and nutrition,'' said Penny Parham, administration director of food and nutrition for Dade County public schools.

Parham wants the gardens to be an avenue for teachers to explore subjects like world culture and science.

Environmental science teacher Tom Gilfoy agrees -- and it's one reason he took his class to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden last week.

The smell of lemon and fresh basil filled the air at the edible garden at Fairchild, captivating Gilfoy's students from Allison Academy in North Miami Beach.

``This was a new lesson,'' he said. ``I thought it was important to come in and learn about the plants and get exposed to gardens.''

The students learned about varied herbs while on the tour, and for some, came across a new concept.

``I never knew you could eat plants. I thought something bad would happen,'' said Miami resident Timothy Neille, 16, a junior at the academy.

Timothy and his classmates were surprised at the number of herbs that they use in their everyday lives, not to mention their potent natural aroma.

``I didn't know plants smell that strong,'' said senior Kyle Rafferty, 17, of Hollywood, sniffing a bunch of herbs. ``They smell good.''

The edible garden at Fairchild was developed through a partnership with the Miami-based Green Railway Organic Workshop (GROW).

That program began by converting an abandoned railroad track in Doral into an organic herb garden.

``This is GROW Miami and we want this to be a model for the country,'' said Miranda Matthews, director of legal affairs for the program.

GROW aims to help schools have their own gardens and expand students' knowledge about planting.

Although the garden in South Pointe was not connected to these programs, science teacher Dennis Phillips said he intends to use the garden as a teaching tool by discussing what foods people eat in other countries, nutritional needs and plant life around the world.

``It's a good tool to let them see a global perspective'' he said.

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