Guardian Prize Crossword 28434 Saturday May 1St 2021

[stratblueash]

Has anyone else had serious problems parsing some of these answers? Examples: 10a, 11a, 12a, 17a, 24a, 26a, 1d, 2d, 8d, 13d, 18d, 27d
First time I've encountered this setter and I just don't get his many "today" references. Did not enjoy this one at all.

[elliemay1]

Give us a clue please

[Mamyalynne]

20a,11a,12a,19a

Is the theme

[brainiac]

....or a link

[Toorak]

12 is anagram of an n(aked) digger

[Toorak]

24 (s)take (dead headed pot) stock (plant)

[Toorak]

26 answer contained in clue

[Mamyalynne]

17a C (key) Op + RA (artist)

[Toorak]

I w(Oman) & last letters of border unnerve frighten

[Toorak]

2 (returne)d rakes (tools for today)

[Toorak]

10 aster(n)

[Toorak]

8 tug around r(omeo)

[Toorak]

13 triple definition

[Toorak]

18 pick out (identify) around r(equire)

[Toorak]

27 (o)l(d)i(e) & ft (Financial Times/pink organ)

[Toorak]

11 naked ladies are a type of flower

[Glamarrat]

Yesterday was World Naked Gardening Day as per 20, 11, 12 and 19. Does that help?

[stratblueash]

Many thanks. Looks like I had a Thick-O moment. Several actually.