Crossword Genius

Used to grow stuff then cut back (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cropped

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'used' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'grow stuff then cut back' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'cut' could be 'crop' (cropping is a kind of cutting) and 'crop' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ped' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for cropped that I've seen is " Cut short".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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