Use a 50/50 mix of compost and sandy loam with some peatmoss mixed in.
It works and if you can, make the trench 3 feet wide.
Suze who posts here uses this and I dare anyone to say her tomatoes dont grow.
I have also used compost mixed with sandy loam that already existed here at my house.
Straight compost is not the way to go for sure.
You would also be better off to raise the beds a little even 6 inches will help.
If the soil is as you say you will need the seepage/drainage.
I see you have brick edging that sticks up a foot I suppose the dirt will fill this up.
I'm guessing that red clay stuff is from haul in for your yard when the house was being built.
Builders will use any cheap garbage they can find.
That black clay you speak of is a black gumbo, I have planted right in it in Central Austin (Hyde Park 51st Avenue G) with great results.
The red clay is the culprit for the poor growth.
The garden soil would be better for sure.
Worth
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