Last summer, I wanted to make some pickles (firsst timer). Went to
the super market and bought a package of pickling mix made by the Ball
Company. It involved simply heating a mixture of vinegar and water
with the rpoduct and putting the sliced pickles in a jar with the
liquid. I did not know whether the pickles would spoil or not, no
instructions were given in the package, so I did the water bath thing.
Before I did this, the pickles tasted great and were crisp. After
wards, when I opened a jar the pickles were way to "vinegary" and very
soft..

Would the pickles have been ok if I had not done the water bath and
how long woiuld they have lasted?
Want to do more pickles this next summer. TIA, Allan