Crossword Genius

Spades have lodged in the ground (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sown

'lodged in the ground' is the definition.
(as in sown seeds)

'spades have' is the wordplay.
'spades' becomes 's' (abbreviation in card games).
'have' becomes 'own' (synonyms).
's'+'own'='SOWN'

(Other definitions for sown that I've seen before include "(Of seeds) planted" , "Broadcast" , "set out to grow" , "(Of seed) planted" , "Placed in ground as seed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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