Do plants etc. in the garden have to be taken over from the previous tenant?

At the end of November 2007, a tenant moved out of his rental apartment. Now, at the end of April, the tenant wanted to come and collect the spring onions he planted in 2007 from the garden. In the meantime, however, I have removed (composted) the onions and prepared the garden for the new tenant. The former tenant is now demanding compensation from me, claiming that he had the right to harvest even after the termination of the lease and to collect it 5 months later. Who is right now? By the way, I am the custodian, also a tenant in this building. Many thanks for your help.

if he believes that he would have had the right to pick up his onions after 5 months, then I would leave it to him to take the legal route - although I wouldn't worry too much about that^^

I would rather turn the tables. actually, the apartment and the garden have to be handed over in the same condition as they were received. therefore, I would subsequently charge an invoice for your work (digging up the onions etc.) ;)

greetings and don't worry
bausepp

ps: how much compensation does he want?

With a registered letter, I was requested to pay 90.- Fr. within 30 days. The problem is that the tenant somehow arranged with the landlord that he could pick up the vegetables later. However, I was not aware of this agreement. Except for the 5 months later.... Thank you very much for your response.

I assume that it is your task to take care of the garden. It probably belongs to this apartment.
So I would get in touch with the administration/landlord. I would say that the administration/landlord should have informed you about this arrangement. - maybe this arrangement isn’t even correct.
I definitely wouldn’t pay the amount. If he sends you a reminder and goes after you legally, you can file a legal objection. Then he has to prove that you are in debt. Then it would go before the justice of the peace, who usually tries to mediate. This means that he works in the conversation towards a compromise. That is, you pay another CHF 45 if you agree, otherwise the plaintiff can pursue the case further...^^
The justice of the peace charges court costs, filing fees, and ruling fees of around CHF 350. A rule of thumb says that it only makes sense to pursue a claim for amounts from CHF 1000 to 2000 and only when the legal situation is 80-100% clear to interpret.
Regards, bausepp