[greeneyes]

I think alum helps. I always just use pickle crisp(which is calcium chloride). I also cool them in a salt water brine in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

Then I cold pack the pickles and add the boiling vinegar/spice water to the jars, seal, and process at boiling water bath for 10 minutes for pints.

Grape leaves are also supposed to help. I put a knife in each jar before adding the boiling mixture to help dissipate the heat, and sort of protect jar from cracking.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Thanks geyes,
But my pickles are refrigerator pickles, no boing nothin’! All a cold process.

1 quart jar with a lid (find quart jars here)
2-3 pickling cucumbers (as many as you can fit in the jar)
5 sprigs of fresh dill (or 1 Tbsp dry dill)
2-4 cloves of garlic (or garlic scapes), crushed and minced (we use 4)
3 Tbsp white distilled vinegar (find white vinegar here)
½ - 1 Tbsp kosher salt, to taste (I use ¾ Tbsp) (find this here)
distilled or filtered water – enough to top off jar (where to find water purification systems)
20 black peppercorns, optional (find high quality peppercorns here)
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional (find high quality chili flakes here)
Directions

Cut pickles into discs, spears, or sandwich slices and add to the jar with all ingredients except the water. Once everything is in the jar, fill to the very top with distilled or filtered water and screw lid on very tightly. Shake the jar up to distribute flavors and leave on your countertop for 12 hours. Shake again and turn upside down for another 12 hours, making sure the lid is screwed on tightly to avoid leakage. After pickles have sat for a total of 24 hours go taste your creation – you won’t believe how good they are! Store in refrigerator and enjoy within a month for maximum freshness.

[twyn1]

I've never heard about grape leaves helping keep pickles crisp! Interesting -- we have a couple of vines -- I'll have to do some research.

We have had a very good week in our little garden; tomatoes going crazy, still getting cukes, zucchini and peppers. 2nd planting of radishes are looking good.

I took a picture of yesterday's "harvest" --

We had a pretty bad year last year, other than the peppers. The tomatoes were esp. sad. I can totally understand how discouraging it is when you don't get much of anything for your hard work. And sometimes there's no clear reason, it just happens. I do like the suggestion of trying winter wheat, sounds lovely!