Plant’s core cultivated with soil to reproduce (5-9)

I believe the answer is:

cross-pollinate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reproduce' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to bodily activities as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'plant's core cultivated with soil' is the wordplay.
'cultivated with' indicates anagramming the letters.
'plants'+'core'='plantscore'
'plantscore' anagrammed with 'soil' gives 'CROSS-POLLINATE'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.