Wow, yes that is expensive. I pay 3 bucks for 30 pounds. I bought 10 bags last time so 30 bucks for 300 pounds. I do have to remove some sap wood, not much. It’s not ideal, it’s not micro nuggets more like small pine chips. It is composted too. Nuggets usually are not. When they have the nuggets i think they are twice as much. Sometimes I buy them.
Fafard soil mixes are excellent products but also not that cheap. It is a good, maybe even better alternative. I found a small mom and pop nursery that sells Fafard 52 mix. I have used it and it is a fantastic potting soil designed for outdoor pots.