Grow in dirt or raised beds?

This year, I planted some Stump Of The World tomato plants in the hard, rocky, dry dirt along the fence surrounding my garden. I also planted some in raised beds My fenced garden is full of raised beds comprised of organic material. The raised beds are watered by soaker hoses on a timer on a regular basis every day.

The tomato plants in the dirt were only hand watered once per week even in one hundred degree plus weather.

The dirt planted tomato plants significantly outperformed the raised bed plants in tomato quality and production.

I'm thinking of lowering the depth of my raised beds this winter in order to insure the root balls of my tomato plants are planted in the dirt beneath my raised beds next spring and reducing the amount of water they receive.

Any thoughts?

Ted