Crossword Genius

The gardener can rake it fine (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tilth

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'fine' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for tilth that I've seen before include "Sort of soil" , "Arable land that is worked by ploughing and sowing" , "Ploughed land" , "sow here" , "Cultivate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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