Straw is great, of course, but it does not reflect the long wavelength light up onto the leaves of the tomato plants the way the plastic does. Plants, especially, fruit and vegetable plants do well with the red/orange plastic because the long wavelength light is a real bonus that helps them grow and set blossoms and fruit.

If you don't want to poke holes in the plastic for rain, do what I do. Run the soaker hose under the plastic. It works great.

Lainey