Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Cut back footing on concrete wall???

I live in a townhouse that has a small (300 sq. foot) front yard, surrounded by a 6' tall by approx. 6" deep stuccoed wall (I assume it's cement). We would like to plant close to the wall, but, after digging a 3' x 2' deep trench around the wall, we are finding a cement footing that is about 6" thick, and, in most areas, extends over 1' from the wall to the edge of the footing. We are considering jack-hammering some of this footing out, so we can get plants in closer to the wall. How do we determine how wide of a footing we really need? Unfortunately, when the wall was put in, they only put the footing about 4" under the ground level, so we are really stuck with regard to planting.

Any ideas? :confused:

I wouldn't recommend whacking at the footing - you may crack the foundation wall. What are you planting, anyway? Most plants would probably do better if they were a foot, or so, away from a wall. :)

The reason I want to whack it back is because it is jutting out over a foot from the wall, and leaves me only about 12" for planting. I'm concerned that my plants won't have room to grow and, even if I plant very close to the footing, when I water, the water won't get to the plants and the roots will die when they find there is no place for them to grow but around the cement. :eek:

I was thinking about just mounding the soil up about 18" in the back and tapering down to the front of the planting area, but I only have about 30" total and I'm afraid of creating a mudslide effect. Do you have any experience with mounding planting soil? :confused:

I would not go wacking the footing off. It was built that size on purpose. To hold the wall up.
How deep down is the footing? several inches of dirt over top should enough for flowers.

Please don't 'whack' at the footing - it provides the load support for the wall or whatever is built above it. In general, footings are designed and built only as big as they need to be and if you break them away, you're weakening the wall they support.

If you want to add some depth for your plants, build a low retaining wall and fill behind it with good dirt. If you don't like that idea, you should be able to mound your plant bed if you compact it as you go.