For immediate Release: Things Green Zone Zero
Things Green Launches Zone Zero to Help California Homeowners Navigate New Wildfire-Safety Landscaping Requirements Independent horticultural resource provides homeowners with practical guidance for protecting their homes without giving up beautiful gardens and landscapes
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — August 27, 2026 — California homeowners are facing a new reality when it comes to the landscapes surrounding their homes. With California establishing a new Zone 0 concept covering the first five feet around structures as an ember-resistant zone, Things Green is introducing Things Green Zone Zero™, an independent, non-governmental horticultural education and consultation resource designed to help homeowners understand what these changes mean for their yards, gardens, potted plants and landscapes.
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection describes Zone 0 as the zero-to-five-foot area around a structure intended to create an ember-resistant zone and reduce wildfire exposure. The Board's current materials provide regulatory information and resources for homeowners in areas subject to defensible-space requirements. (Board of Forestry and Fire Protection)
But understanding regulations is only part of the challenge.
“Homeowners don't necessarily need to choose between wildfire preparedness and having a beautiful garden,” said Nick Federoff, founder of Things Green. “They need someone who can take complicated information and explain what it means from a horticultural standpoint. That's what Things Green has been doing for decades, and that's exactly why we created Things Green Zone Zero.”
Zone Zero Doesn't Have to Mean Zero Garden
Things Green Zone Zero™ will provide homeowners with practical information about topics including:
The goal is straightforward: Zone Zero Doesn't Have to Mean Zero Garden.
“There's a tremendous amount of confusion surrounding what homeowners can and cannot do with their landscapes,” Federoff said. “Our job isn't to enforce regulations or pretend to be a government agency. Our job is to help people understand the horticulture, ask the right questions and make smarter landscape decisions.”
Why Nick Federoff?
Federoff brings more than four decades of professional horticulture, landscaping, broadcasting and consumer education experience to the Zone Zero discussion. Since beginning his national radio career in 1986, he has built a reputation for diagnosing difficult plant, lawn and landscape problems and translating professional horticultural knowledge into practical information for homeowners and gardeners. (ThingsGreen)
His background includes a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Master Gardener credentials through UC Cooperative Extension, professional landscape installation and maintenance experience, extensive weed-abatement experience and a California Qualified Applicators License. His career has included large-scale landscape and vegetation-management contracts as well as consultation ranging from professional landscaping companies to individual homeowners. (ThingsGreen)
Federoff has also spent decades communicating horticulture through television, radio, print and digital media. He has hosted the nationally recognized Things Green television and radio programs, produced hundreds of television segments as a garden expert, and has used what he calls an “edutainment” approach to make complicated horticultural subjects understandable and memorable. (ThingsGreen)
He was the first radio and television personality inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame and has received numerous professional and broadcasting honors, including the International Society of Arboriculture's Harry J. Banker Gold Leaf Award and multiple Telly Awards. (ThingsGreen)
That combination of professional horticulture, landscape experience, media communication and real-world problem solving forms the foundation of Things Green Zone Zero.
An Independent Resource—Not a Government Agency
Things Green Zone Zero™ is an independent, non-governmental horticultural education and consultation resource. It does not replace the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE, a local fire authority, code-enforcement agency, licensed professional or other governmental authority.
Things Green provides educational and horticultural information and is not a governmental agency, fire authority, code enforcement agency or legal adviser. Regulations can change, and local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements. Always verify current requirements with the applicable authority before making compliance decisions.
That distinction is central to the Things Green Zone Zero mission.
“We want homeowners to have a knowledgeable horticultural resource they can turn to when the government documents are difficult to interpret from a gardening perspective,” Federoff said. “We're here to explain the plants, the landscape and the practical considerations—while directing homeowners to the appropriate authorities for official regulatory determinations.”
Homeowners Can Talk Directly With Things Green
Homeowners who have questions about how Zone Zero may affect their yard, garden or landscape can contact Nick Federoff through the Things Green garden diagnosis line: 1-800-405-NICK (6425)
For professional consultations, business opportunities and press inquiries, contact Things Green at:
1-800-9NewYard (800-963-9927)
Additional Things Green Zone Zero resources will be available online at:
ThingsGreen.com/ZoneZero
About Things Green
Things Green is a multi-platform horticultural media and education organization founded by Nick Federoff. Through television, radio, digital media, educational programming and professional horticultural consultation, Things Green helps homeowners, gardeners and businesses solve plant, lawn and landscape problems with practical, professional information rather than quick fixes and gimmicks. Federoff's long-standing mission has been to make professional horticultural knowledge understandable and useful to everyday gardeners. (ThingsGreen)
Media & Consultation Contact
Things Green / Nick Federoff
1-800-9NewYard
1-800-963-9927
Homeowner Garden & Zone Zero Questions
1-800-405-NICK
1-800-405-6425
ThingsGreen.com/ZoneZero
Things Green Zone Zero™ Blogs
California's Zone Zero Rule - Is it fair?
California Zone Zero: Things Green Helps Homeowners Understand What It Means for Their Garden
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — August 27, 2026 — California homeowners are facing a new reality when it comes to the landscapes surrounding their homes. With California establishing a new Zone 0 concept covering the first five feet around structures as an ember-resistant zone, Things Green is introducing Things Green Zone Zero™, an independent, non-governmental horticultural education and consultation resource designed to help homeowners understand what these changes mean for their yards, gardens, potted plants and landscapes.
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection describes Zone 0 as the zero-to-five-foot area around a structure intended to create an ember-resistant zone and reduce wildfire exposure. The Board's current materials provide regulatory information and resources for homeowners in areas subject to defensible-space requirements. (Board of Forestry and Fire Protection)
But understanding regulations is only part of the challenge.
“Homeowners don't necessarily need to choose between wildfire preparedness and having a beautiful garden,” said Nick Federoff, founder of Things Green. “They need someone who can take complicated information and explain what it means from a horticultural standpoint. That's what Things Green has been doing for decades, and that's exactly why we created Things Green Zone Zero.”
Zone Zero Doesn't Have to Mean Zero Garden
Things Green Zone Zero™ will provide homeowners with practical information about topics including:
- Potted plants and container gardening
- Plant selection and mature plant size
- Plant placement around structures
- Noncombustible containers
- Landscape maintenance
- Vegetation and combustible materials
- Creating attractive entryways and gardens
- Understanding the relationship between Zone 0 and the rest of the landscape
- Questions homeowners should ask their local fire or regulatory authorities
The goal is straightforward: Zone Zero Doesn't Have to Mean Zero Garden.
“There's a tremendous amount of confusion surrounding what homeowners can and cannot do with their landscapes,” Federoff said. “Our job isn't to enforce regulations or pretend to be a government agency. Our job is to help people understand the horticulture, ask the right questions and make smarter landscape decisions.”
Why Nick Federoff?
Federoff brings more than four decades of professional horticulture, landscaping, broadcasting and consumer education experience to the Zone Zero discussion. Since beginning his national radio career in 1986, he has built a reputation for diagnosing difficult plant, lawn and landscape problems and translating professional horticultural knowledge into practical information for homeowners and gardeners. (ThingsGreen)
His background includes a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Master Gardener credentials through UC Cooperative Extension, professional landscape installation and maintenance experience, extensive weed-abatement experience and a California Qualified Applicators License. His career has included large-scale landscape and vegetation-management contracts as well as consultation ranging from professional landscaping companies to individual homeowners. (ThingsGreen)
Federoff has also spent decades communicating horticulture through television, radio, print and digital media. He has hosted the nationally recognized Things Green television and radio programs, produced hundreds of television segments as a garden expert, and has used what he calls an “edutainment” approach to make complicated horticultural subjects understandable and memorable. (ThingsGreen)
He was the first radio and television personality inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame and has received numerous professional and broadcasting honors, including the International Society of Arboriculture's Harry J. Banker Gold Leaf Award and multiple Telly Awards. (ThingsGreen)
That combination of professional horticulture, landscape experience, media communication and real-world problem solving forms the foundation of Things Green Zone Zero.
An Independent Resource—Not a Government Agency
Things Green Zone Zero™ is an independent, non-governmental horticultural education and consultation resource. It does not replace the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE, a local fire authority, code-enforcement agency, licensed professional or other governmental authority.
Things Green provides educational and horticultural information and is not a governmental agency, fire authority, code enforcement agency or legal adviser. Regulations can change, and local jurisdictions may impose additional requirements. Always verify current requirements with the applicable authority before making compliance decisions.
That distinction is central to the Things Green Zone Zero mission.
“We want homeowners to have a knowledgeable horticultural resource they can turn to when the government documents are difficult to interpret from a gardening perspective,” Federoff said. “We're here to explain the plants, the landscape and the practical considerations—while directing homeowners to the appropriate authorities for official regulatory determinations.”
Homeowners Can Talk Directly With Things Green
Homeowners who have questions about how Zone Zero may affect their yard, garden or landscape can contact Nick Federoff through the Things Green garden diagnosis line: 1-800-405-NICK (6425)
For professional consultations, business opportunities and press inquiries, contact Things Green at:
1-800-9NewYard (800-963-9927)
Additional Things Green Zone Zero resources will be available online at:
ThingsGreen.com/ZoneZero
About Things Green
Things Green is a multi-platform horticultural media and education organization founded by Nick Federoff. Through television, radio, digital media, educational programming and professional horticultural consultation, Things Green helps homeowners, gardeners and businesses solve plant, lawn and landscape problems with practical, professional information rather than quick fixes and gimmicks. Federoff's long-standing mission has been to make professional horticultural knowledge understandable and useful to everyday gardeners. (ThingsGreen)
Media & Consultation Contact
Things Green / Nick Federoff
1-800-9NewYard
1-800-963-9927
Homeowner Garden & Zone Zero Questions
1-800-405-NICK
1-800-405-6425
ThingsGreen.com/ZoneZero
Things Green Zone Zero™ Blogs
California's Zone Zero Rule - Is it fair?
California Zone Zero: Things Green Helps Homeowners Understand What It Means for Their Garden
# # #