By the sound of it, writer identifies talent in developing plots etc (5,7)
I believe the answer is:
green fingers
'talent in developing plots etc' is the definition.
(talent for cultivating plots of land)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for green fingers that I've seen before include "Gardening skill" , "Knack of making plants grow well" , "Person adept at growing plants" , "Horticultural knack" , "Natural gardening ability" .)