What is the preferred mulch for tomato plants?

[nnjjohn]

I have small garden beds and can easily use the cheap black plastic weed mulch i still have unused in my shed.. But want to hill my plants early season and also using the Florida weave using 2x2 pine staked every other plant ..the tomato cages aren't practical and most are old and rusted at the bottoms.. the tomato cages will instead be used in the smallest of beds perhaps for trellising the cucs and squash. I read straw (not hey) is really good for mulching around the base of transplants.. I still have at least a month planning ..any other suggestions appreciated