Can one plant directly into the container or does it need lining?

The short answer is yes; you can plant directly into the container.

The most significant issue with containers that have a wooden bottom is good drainage.
Excess water must be able to drain through and escape to prevent undue wood rot. It also prevents plants from having long-lasting “wet feet” which causes root rot to set in.

We design and construct our wooden planters in such a way that makes lining and other methods superfluous.

The second most important issue is using a potting soil that is suitable for containers to get good results. The soil needs to be light, fluffy and porous and won’t become compacted in the box. The mix should drain well, but also hold moisture.