Stint requiring months in spring (5)
I believe the answer is:
skimp
'stint' is the definition.
(I know that stint can be written as skimp)
'months in spring' is the wordplay.
'months' becomes 'm'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'spring' becomes 'skip' (skipping is a kind of springing).
'm' placed inside 'skip' is 'SKIMP'.
'requiring' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for skimp that I've seen before include "Deal with superficially" , "Spend not enough time and care on (job)" , "Use minimal amount" , "Expend less in an attempt to economise" , "Work carelessly" .)