I enrich my beds every year with grass clippings (used as mulch and dug into the bed in the fall) and compost (timing depends on availability of free mulch).

I also double-dig my beds each year in the spring (although that gets harder to do as I get older) to loosen up the soil and further incorporate any new material.

Did you thoroughly mix your added soil to the existing soil? I think that's a key to raised beds.

Hi q...I did roto-till my native soil prior to backfilling the raised bed. I added compost and manure to the topsoil I bought. I also added a little gypsum to the native soil to help drainage of the clay type soil. I think I did stuff fairly well...but from what I've read, it takes awhile to get a rich/balanced raised bed.

My bed 1 and 2 are getting a rest because they don't get enough sun in winter. Bed 3 is transitioning into winter plants such as kale, broccoli, lettuce, and bok choy.

In terms of raised bed vs container my findings are similar to yours, Fireduck. Except that I went through the opposite route, lol. I've always grown in raised bed but this year I also grew in 20 gallon plastic pot and 30 gallon Smart Pots. There is still a lot to learn, but I'm very impressed that I harvested at least 80 big beef fruit that weighed 6 oz or more. Here is the root system:

Raised bed is a form.. If it is small it is like a container (bottomless), if it is very big it is like in ground bed that is elevater

I find raised bed to have the advantage in providing better drainage, where you get a lot of rain. It also offers a design element . As far as productivity, it depends on with what it is filled and fed. JMO

Sey