Putting into the ground the grain to sprout (8)
I believe the answer is:
earthing
'putting into the ground' is the definition.
'the grain to sprout' is the wordplay.
'to sprout' indicates an anagram (to sprout can mean to develop and change).
'the'+'grain'='thegrain'
'thegrain' anagrammed gives 'EARTHING'.
(Other definitions for earthing that I've seen before include "Going to ground" , "Electrician's work" .)