Crossword Genius

Identify hedges beginning to require transplant (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prick out

'transplant' is the definition.
(gardening term - moving young plant)

'identify hedges beginning to require' is the wordplay.
'identify' becomes 'pick out'.
'hedges' indicates putting letters inside (surrounds like a hedge).
'beginning to' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'require' is 'r'.
'pickout' placed around 'r' is 'PRICK OUT'.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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