Wait until the basil plant is at least 6 to 8 inches tall
Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried
Use clean scissors or garden snips
Cut stems just above a pair of leaves or leaf nodes
Take the top 2 to 4 inches of each stem
Harvest from the top first to encourage bushier growth
Never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time
Pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear
Choose healthy, fully grown leaves for harvesting
Rinse the basil gently after harvesting if needed
Store fresh basil in a jar of water or wrap it loosely in a damp paper towel
Use harvested basil soon for best flavor