Sun Mapping for Gardens & Landscaping
Know exactly how much sun every corner of your garden gets. Track building shadows throughout the day and across seasons to plan the perfect garden layout.
Map sun exposure across your garden
Understanding sunlight patterns is the foundation of successful gardening. Coffee in the Sun shows you exactly how building shadows move across your garden throughout the day, revealing which areas receive full sun (6+ hours of direct light), partial shade (3-6 hours), and full shade (less than 3 hours). Instead of spending weeks observing your garden by eye, you get a clear visual picture in minutes. Simply open the app, find your garden on the map, and scrub through the day to watch shadows shift in real time. You'll quickly spot the sunniest borders, the perpetually shaded corners near walls, and everything in between.
Plan plant placement with confidence
Once you know your garden's sun zones, choosing the right plants becomes straightforward. Sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and courgettes need those full-sun spots you've identified, while shade-tolerant plants like hostas, ferns, and astilbe will thrive in areas that buildings keep in shadow for most of the day. Coffee in the Sun takes the guesswork out of plant placement. Before you buy a single seedling, check whether that south-facing bed really gets the six hours of sun your lavender needs, or whether the neighbouring building casts a shadow over it by mid-afternoon. Matching plants to their actual light conditions means healthier growth, better yields, and far fewer disappointments.
Track seasonal sun changes
Your garden in July looks nothing like your garden in December. The sun sits much lower in winter, casting longer shadows that can put large sections of your garden into shade for months. With Coffee in the Sun's Time Travel feature, you can jump to any date of the year and see exactly how shadow patterns change with the seasons. This is invaluable for planning around deciduous trees — that sunny spot under the oak might be perfect for spring bulbs before the canopy fills in, but completely shaded by midsummer. Check winter sun angles to find which beds will warm up earliest in spring, and plan your sowing schedule accordingly.
Design outdoor living spaces
A great garden isn't just about plants — it's about creating spaces you want to spend time in. Whether you're planning a patio, positioning a bench, or deciding where to place your outdoor dining table, understanding sun and shade patterns makes all the difference. Use Coffee in the Sun to find the spot that catches the last rays of evening sun for after-dinner drinks, or identify a naturally shaded area for a comfortable seating corner on hot summer afternoons. You can also plan pergola placement, figure out where a parasol is truly needed, and design garden layouts that balance sunny and shaded zones for all-day comfort.
Evaluate new properties before buying
If you're a keen gardener, a property's garden orientation can make or break the deal. Coffee in the Sun lets you check how much sun a garden receives before you commit to a purchase. North-facing gardens can be a challenge, but the app shows you exactly how much — some have surprisingly sunny sections depending on surrounding buildings. Check multiple properties on your shortlist and compare their sun exposure at different times of day and year. It's the kind of insight that estate agents rarely mention but gardeners consider essential. A few minutes with the app can save you from years of frustration with a garden that never gets the light you need.
Save and compare garden spots
Use Coffee in the Sun's favorites feature to bookmark specific spots across your garden — or across multiple gardens if you manage an allotment, community garden, or client properties. Save that perfect south-facing corner, the shady bed along the fence, and the spot you're considering for a greenhouse. With your key locations saved, you can quickly revisit them to check conditions at different times of year without searching the map again. For professional landscapers working across several projects, this means keeping all your client gardens organized and accessible in one place.
Check weather alongside sun data
Sunlight is just one piece of the puzzle. Coffee in the Sun also shows real-time weather data including UV index, temperature, and conditions — all useful for garden planning. A high UV index tells you when tender seedlings or newly transplanted plants might need temporary shade protection. Temperature data helps you judge frost risk for sensitive plants and decide when it's safe to move indoor seedlings outside. By combining shadow mapping with live weather conditions, you get a complete picture of your garden's environment — making it easier to time your planting, protect vulnerable plants, and keep your garden thriving throughout the growing season.
