Like sprouts and maize, hot not cold, for a starter (9)
I believe the answer is:
greenhorn
'starter' is the definition.
(someone who has recently started an activity)
'like sprouts and maize' is the wordplay.
'like sprouts' becomes 'green' (sprouts are green).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'maize' becomes 'horn' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'green'+'horn'='GREENHORN'
'hot not cold for a' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
(Other definitions for greenhorn that I've seen before include "One's not experienced" , "An inexperienced person with emerald trumpet?" , "One learning" , "Gullible type" , "Tenderfoot" .)