This will make about 4 quarts of pickles, so you need 4 1 quart jars with lids, or the approximate equivalent in other jars. Wash in hot soapy water and rinse well [or run through the dishwasher].

Measure the water, vinegar and salt into a 3 quart sauce pan and set over high heat - you want the salt to dissolve and the mixture to come to a full boil.

Meanwhile, make sure your cucumbers are good and clean. Cut them however you like - the smaller the pieces, the more that will fit in a jar. I like spears, because they are pretty to serve, though if I end up with a lot of odd sized cucumbers, chunks or slices may work too.

In the bottom of each jar, place 1 large head of dill, or several smaller ones. You can also put in some of the fronds and stems. Then put 1 garlic clove, cut in pieces in the bottom.

Fill each jar with cucumbers - for spears, it might be easier to lay the jar on its side. You can really cram them in there tightly, but leave a good inch of headspace at the top, so that the brine will be able to cover the pickles.

Top the cucumbers in the jars with another clove of cut up garlic, as well as another large head of dill. Each jar gets a heaping ½ teaspoon of pickling spice a big pinch of red pepper flake.

Carefully fill each jar with the boiling water/vinegar/salt mixture, making sure to get the cucumbers completely covered.

Screw on the lids.

Leave the jars out in the counter for 2 or 3 days, and then store in the refrigerator for at least two weeks before opening them.