Shimla, Jan. 9 -- With winter progressing without its usual blanket of snow, the apple growers in the hill state are worried. To tackle the essential requirement for the fruit production--adequate chilling hours --they are using dripping and sprinkler systems to spray water on the trees, which freezes overnight as temperatures drop, forming artificial snow.

According to the orchardists, if apple trees do not receive adequate chilling hours during the required period, both yield and quality are affected. To prevent this, they are using artificial snow.

Snow plays a vital role in apple farming as it is a crucial component for ensuring a successful harvest. Himachal received the sixth lowest rainfall in December 2025 since 1901 with 99% ra...