Herb Gardens - How do you know when they are ready?
Answers:
Pinching off most herbs does not hurt them, in fact it makes them bushier and healthier. You can start using them within the first month. Sometimes I think basil can grow faster than I can pinch it off. The more you use the faster it grows.
Other answers:
Most herbs you wait until they are bushy and taking some of the leaves won't kill them, but before they go to seed or flower.
You could use them right away, depending on the plant, but then you wouldn't have any for next week...
With Basil, peppermint, and oregano, for instance, you can nip off the ends off the longer stalks and this will encourage the plant to be low and bushy.
Most herbs you wait until they are bushy and taking some of the leaves won't kill them, but before they go to seed or flower.
You could use them right away, depending on the plant, but then you wouldn't have any for next week...
With Basil, peppermint, and oregano, for instance, you can nip off the ends off the longer stalks and this will encourage the plant to be low and bushy.
Herbs are always ready.
Here are a couple of links that should give you the right information:
When is the best time of year to heavy prune a boxwood shrub?