Crossword Genius

Spray weed around start of spring (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hose

'spray' is the definition.
(to spray or hose with water)

'weed around start of spring' is the wordplay.
'weed' becomes 'hoe' (I've seen this before).
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'start of' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'spring' is 's'.
'hoe' going around 's' is 'HOSE'.

(Other definitions for hose that I've seen before include "Flexible pipe for liquid" , "Stockings, etc." , "Socks and stockings" , "Stockings; drench" , "One with doublet; a tube" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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