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ABSTRACTHome gardens are small land units for food production, usually within the homestead in traditional communities. These gardens are important component of subsistence living and an archive for plant species of mixed life cycles. A random study was carried out on seventy (70) home gardens in Senior Staff quarters and the study area was divided into three sites (P-quarter, A-quarters and B-quarters) to have a proper transect of the garden and gardener characteristics, species composition, utilization pattern and availability of plant life forms. Primary data was obtained using open ended questionnaire, crop inventory and field observation were done by guided walk. Results showed a total of 75 crops belonging to 40 families was documented with 27 crops in P-quarters, 56 crops in A-quarters and 65crops in B-quarters. A total of 28 crop species were common in the three sites. 10 categories of crops were recorded during this survey. Fruits and nuts had the highest occurrence (30.67 %) while sugar crops had the least occurrence (1.33 %). The home gardens visited had characteristics three layered structure, vis a vis a vertical food production – upper, middle and lower layer similar to a tropical rainforest. Most of the crops were perennial fruits crops mainly used for food, medicine and provision of shade. Two types of home gardens are suggested from this study – tree vegetable located far from the house and vegetable located close to the house. 81.33 % of the crops are used for food with 26.67 % used for non food purposes. From this study home garden is a repository of plant species
