Sticking point for a gardener? (5)

I believe the answer is:

stake

(Other definitions for stake that I've seen before include "Sharpened post; sum bet" , "A bet or sharpened stick" , "Put this on horse one thinks close to winning" , "Amount wagered" , "Sum gambled" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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.