Like a gardener’s fingers (5)

I believe the answer is:

green

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'like' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for green that I've seen before include "Unripe; envious" , "Eco-friendly" , "one may be putting on" , "Colour of emeralds" , "Politician; fresh" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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