Our Menard's carries a Pro-Mix (just the very basic Pro-Mix) in a 4 ft. compressed bale for about 14.00. Toward the end of the season, it goes down to $10.00. I think it's a little too coarse for seed starting, but it's awesome for potting up seedling transplants, and I use it in my containers. The caveat is there is nothing that acts as a fertilizer in there, so that does need to be added. It is a good bargain for me, as I grow about 800 plants for our Master Gardeners plant sale each year. This is a fairly economical mix for potting up 3", 4" and 5" containers that have a little Osmocote mixed in. For seedlings, I just use a little water-soluble fertilizer and everything has done just fine.
