I don't have your problem. I feed my soil plenty of organic matter.

those earthworms would not stand a chance getting through my soil in July! haha. I swear I have used a pick on my ground and seen sparks fly from the impact. Prior to filling up that raised bed...I tilled the ground below and spread gypsum around. Once the ground starts taking the water...things improve dramatically. The containers really are a lot of work. I hope the raised bed works out nicely.

Worms can dig in and go deeper if necessary. I used to hunt them from some hard clay soil and transfer to my garden. They are the best workers in the garden if you till in things like fall leaves. :
Leaves + earthworms >>> worm casting + more and fatter worms. LOL

Firduck, ... quite interesting doing various techniques.

Sey

Sey...I keep reading about worm castings. Is that their waste or what? I am hoping the raised bed drains well and the mater roots can penetrate through the clay. If that happens...I will eventually ditch the containers and expand the size of the raised bed. That is...if I don't get any older. They are a lot of work to install. haha

Fireduck, the raised bed and your support system looks great. I had to go to containers the second year we moved here. Previous owners were serious about a weed free lawn and the residue of herbicides was still in the ground the second year! I do have some in the ground this year (5th year here), along with my containers,and they are doing good. Containers are a lot of work! This is my last growing season here. This fall I will go to my daughter's house in TN and we will prep an area for our garden. We are moving back to TN next spring. Will be fun to garden with my daughter again. I have Texas Tomato cages, but I think I will use your support system for beans and cukes!

Jennie

There isn't any correct way, the fun is doing your own way and adapting to your situation, I think what you're doing is fine. I like growing them in containers as well, both with soil and hydroponically. I use 50% peat moss (sustainably harvested hopefully) for my tomato soil mix.

It looks like from the photos you can put mulching around your tomatoes, despite the drip irrigation a bit in the way, it looks sunny there and mulching will definitely help with water retention and also help the microbes.

I have had soil like that in other homes. I call it wrist breaking ground! =( Great pix love your set up.

max....great point about the mulch. I have a mountain of chips from a landscapers chipper. I will do that before it gets hot. thanks

Fireduck,
it’s good you’re trying different methods. You will see what works the best for
you, and next year you will be more successful.

A few
comments, if I may:

First picture:

• Excellent idea to
  use such a large – 32 (?) Gallon – container. I read somewhere that tomatoes
  roots can go up to 10 ft. in my garden they only grow up to… 2 ft.
• I suggest you to use mulch – you will avoid diseases. I used both fabric and straw mulch. Each has its
  advantages and disadvantages.

Second
picture:

• Like I
  wrote above, I suggest to mulch.
• I love
  that welded wire fencing.
• I think the poles might not be strong enough if you live in a windy
  area. Tomatoes vines can grow 15-20+ ft. long and a heavy wind can tear down
  that support.
• The raised bed is about 12’’ high. I think you
  need at least 18’’ – preferably 24’’. Your
  tomatoes roots will have a hard time entering that soil.

Last picture:

• I have no comments, because I’m not familiar with the system.

Worms in your soil ? Don’t think so, but you can always buy worm castings.

D...taking your last comment first: that is an "Earthbox" system. For the last 18 months...everything I have grown in it has done great! 2. My wire is supported by what is known a "T stakes". They are plenty strong. 3. I did take the advice and I actually mulched my raised bed today. thanks