Initially she goes into dunes and turns things over with spade (4)
I believe the answer is:
digs
'over with spade' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'initially she goes into dunes and turns' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'she' could be 'di' and 'di' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'things' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for digs that I've seen before include "Temporary lodgings" , "mines" , "Lodgings - excavations!" , "flat, say" , "(Temporary) living quarters" .)