Crossword Genius

For French, if it's about love, it's in bed (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soil

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'in bed' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'for french if it's about love' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'love' could be 'o' (love means zero in tennis) and 'o' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'sil' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'it's' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for soil that I've seen before include "In which plants grow" , "Loose upper layer of earth" , "Earth; stain" , "Earth; make dirty" , "Earth for growing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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