Eli5 If plants can stay alive fine outside in 40° weather, then why do we need to refrigerate vegetables?

Question

Eli5 If plants can stay alive fine outside in 40° weather, then why do we need to refrigerate vegetables?

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

alive plants are constantly maintaining themselves and fighting off the microorganisms eating them. Dead plants are constantly breaking down and being eaten. Cold temperatures slow down the things that eat them and maybe slow down the non-eating breakdown as well