Woman in garden is lifting something to sift soil? (5)
I believe the answer is:
sieve
'something to sift soil?' is the definition.
(a sieve may be used to sift soil)
'woman in garden is lifting' is the wordplay.
'woman in garden' becomes 'Eve' (in the Garden of Eden).
'lifting' is a reversal indicator.
'eve'+'is'='eveis'
'eveis' written backwards gives 'SIEVE'.
(Other definitions for sieve that I've seen before include "Mesh used for straining or sifting" , "used by the Jumblies" , "Forgetful head is like it" , "Fine riddle" , "Jumblies' vessel" .)