Soil can be replenished by cover crops (legumes in particular), and soil amendments, like raw manure. time alone won't do anything for it likely. You have to do other things.

Beans are great for fixing nitrogen, and you get to eat them too!

I should think that 30 gallon containers would be great for whatever tomato variety you choose to grow.

Linda

Yes, beans and peas have that benefit :0 Excellent notion...certainly a crop rotation would be beneficial in the future...like peas during winter maybe ?

Part of the reason I can only grow in one area of my yard is that it only gets sun from March through November. Then the sun dips too low in the sky and creates shadows from neighboring house and trees. I've tried growing beans and peas in the winter, but since the area is in total shade all I can grow are greens like kale, arugula, mustard greens, etc. Beyond that, all I can do is additives, like compost, manure, etc.

You should be able to plant any variety in a 30 gal containers, but I've actually have better results in 15 gal containers than 25 gal containers.

are the raised beds 'connected' to the ground soil/dirt, or are they on top of a solid surface? i'd stick to the raised beds if they are on top of native soil.

add organic fertilizer to the beds.. Tomato tone, fish emulsion,etc..
organics / fish emulsion is very good at conditioning and building up the soil they decompose.

Are you fertilizing your tomatoes? Compost and worm castings are usually not enough.

Oh yeah! I start them off with a root soak of compost tea and Actinovate (to help protect the roots), then granular fert in the planting hole (E.B. Stone 4-5-3). Then they get granular every 2 weeks and foliar every 4. My soil also has myccorhysomes (spelling?), composted chicken manure, kelp and other nutrients. They're getting lots of good nutrients. My concern was about having enough space for the root structure of some of the larger varieties. :)

There's such a thing as too much fertilizer/amendments. Have you had a soil test done? By a lab, not a home kit. Home kits give completely unreliable results.

I never have had a soil test done. I've always meant to, but I'm not sure where to look here in LA. As I'm growing in containers this year, though, I will be using all new planting mix. Not using soil from the ground. I found a great deal on Gardener and Bloome organic planting mix. It's great stuff!! Typically a little on the pricey side, but I have developed a relationship with my local nursery and they're giving me a really good price.

If you want to grow in the ground again at some point, a soil test would be in order, IMO. Disease, nutrient deficiency, and nutrient toxicity can all result in non-vigorous, sickly looking plants.

I totally agree... Do you know how to find a reliable testing facility in Los Angeles?

Contact your county extension. They will have cheap testing services or will be able to point you to someone who does.